WALKER COUNTY Joint Comprehensive Plan 2012-2032 Part ......Post WWII housing. Area where typical types of suburban residential subdivision development have occurred. Are within proximity

WALKER COUNTY

Joint Comprehensive Plan 2012-2032

Part II

Community Agenda

Prepared for:

Walker County and the Cities of Chickamauga, LaFayette,

Lookout Mountain, and Rossville

Prepared by:

Northwest Georgia Regional Commission

P. O. Box 1798

Rome, Georgia 30162-1798

February 2012

i

Table of Contents

Adoption Resolutions …………………………………..…………………. ii

1. Introduction ………………………………………………………………… 1

2. Unincorporated Walker County …………………………………………. 3

3. City of Chickamauga ……………………………………….………….… 41

4. City of LaFayette ……………………………………………………….… 68

5. City of Lookout Mountain ………………………………………...…… 103

6. City of Rossville ………………………………………………………… 122

Appendix A: Summary of Community Participation ………………… 146

Appendix B: Quality Community Objectives …………………………. 151

ii

Adoption Resolutions

iii

iv

v

vi

vii

1

Chapter 1

Introduction

Introduction to the Community Agenda for Unincorporated Walker County and the

municipalities of Chickamauga, LaFayette, Lookout Mountain, and Rossville

The 1989 Georgia Planning Act requires that each community and county in Georgia

prepare and adopt a local comprehensive plan. The requirements for a comprehensive

plan are established by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA)

“Standards and Procedures for Local Comprehensive Planning,” effective May 1, 2005.

A comprehensive plan meeting these requirements must include three main

components: the Community Assessment, Community Participation Plan, and

Community Agenda. This document is the Community Agenda portion of the Joint

Comprehensive Plan for Walker County, Georgia, which includes the four incorporated

cities of Chickamauga, LaFayette, Lookout Mountain, and Rossville. The City of Fort

Oglethorpe extends into the northeast corner of Walker County. Based on criteria set

by the state, however, Fort Oglethorpe planning occurs with the published

comprehensive plan update schedule for Catoosa County, where Fort Oglethorpe's city

hall is located.

The purpose of the Community Agenda is to lay out a road map for the community’s

future, developed through a public process of involving community leaders,

stakeholders, and the public. The Community Agenda is the most important part of the

plan, as it includes the community’s vision for the future, key issues and opportunities it

chooses to address during the planning period, and its implementation program for

achieving this vision and addressing the identified issues and opportunities. The

Community Agenda is intended to generate local pride and enthusiasm about the future

of the community, thereby enhancing the likelihood of the plan being implemented.

The Community Agenda is comprised of the following three components:

1. Community Vision, which includes the:

o Vision Statement (optional)

o Future Development Map

2

o Defining Narrative

2. Community Issues & Opportunities

3. Implementation Program, which includes the:

o Short Term Work Program

o Policies

Also included in the Implementation Program is the Report of Accomplishments, an

assessment of the 2007-2011 Short Term Work Program. Each component is

described in the Community Agenda as it pertains to unincorporated Walker County and

the cities of Chickamauga, LaFayette, Lookout Mountain, and Rossville. Chapters 2

through 6 of this document organize this information by jurisdiction.

The Community Agenda was prepared with public and stakeholder involvement as

specified in the Community Participation Program. A Summary of Community

Participation can be found in Appendix A of this document.

3

Chapter 2

Unincorporated Walker County Presenting the Community Vision, Community Issues & Opportunities, and the

Implementation Program for Unincorporated Walker County

Community Vision The Community Vision is intended to paint a picture of what the community desires to

become, providing a complete description of the development patterns to be

encouraged within the jurisdiction. It includes the following components: (1) a general

vision statement of the overall goals and desired future the community seeks to

achieve; (2) a future development map, delineating boundaries of major character areas

covering the jurisdiction; and (3) defining narrative (i.e., a specific vision) for each

character area shown on the future development map.

General Vision Statement

Walker County Government will take the lead in creating a quality of life

unparalleled in the southeast. Stewardship of the manmade and natural

resources will be the foundation of every decision. Government will be

progressive in providing infrastructure and services that support residential,

commercial, and industrial development. Government will be sensitive and

responsive to issues of local and community concerns and be proactive in

identifying and planning for emerging opportunities and preserving those core

values which are the foundations of the past and our hope for the future.

We will realize our vision by supporting these goals: A strong operational and

management infrastructure; downtown revitalization; greenspace and natural resources

preservation and development; balance between residential, commercial, and industrial

development; quality growth management; quality education; community and economic

development; a clear county-wide vision and agreed-on goals; and regional

collaboration.

4

Future Development Map & Defining Narrative

A key component of the comprehensive planning process is the creation of a Future

Development Map that reflects the county's vision for growth and development for the

next 20 years. This vision, which was developed with a public visioning process, is

expressed in unique "character areas." The following pages present the Future

Development Map and Defining Narrative for each character area shown on the

Future Development Map for unincorporated Walker County.

Character area planning focuses on the way an area looks and how it functions.

Tailored development strategies are applied to each area, with the goal of

enhancing the existing character/function or promoting a desired character for the

future. The character areas shown on the Future Development Map define areas

that:

• Presently have unique or special characteristics that need to be preserved

• Have potential to evolve into unique areas

• Require special attention because of unique development issues

The character areas narratives that follow present an overall vision for future

growth and development for each character area and include the following

information:

• Description

• Land use(s)

• Quality Community Objectives

• Implementation measures

The description is intended to clarify the types, forms, styles, and patterns of

development that are to be encouraged in the character area. The land uses are

those to be allowed in the character area. The Quality Community Objectives (QCO)

identifies the QCOs that will be pursued in the area. These objectives were adopted by

the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to measure how communities

preserve their unique resources while accommodating future development. The Quality

Community Objectives can be found in Appendix B. Finally, the implementation

measures identify strategies the county can take to help achieve the desired

development patterns for the area.

5

6

Residential

Residential development in the Mountain View area

Quality Community Objectives Implementation Measures

• Traditional neighborhood • Infill development • Sense of place • Housing opportunities

More detailed sub-area planning:

• Preserve traditional and historic features while adapting for current use

New or revised local development regulations:

• Tree preservation, rehabilitation, infill guidelines and emphasis, recommend conservation subdivision and walkable communities

Incentives:

• Homestead Exemptions Public Investments:

• Walker County Transit, beautification projects, community center, recreation areas, playgrounds.

Infrastructure Improvements:

• Improve existing water and sewer, provide high speed internet

Description

Post WWII housing. Area where typical types of suburban residential subdivision development have occurred. Are within proximity to a public water network. Low pedestrian orientation, little or no transit, high open space, high to moderate degree of building separation, predominantly residential. Post- WWII.

Development Strategies/Policies:

• Retrofit to meet traditional neighborhood development principles.

• Creating walkable neighborhood focal points by locating schools, community centers, commercial activity centers at suitable locations

• Use traffic calming improvements, sidewalks, interconnections

• Accessory housing units, or new well-designed, small-scale infill multifamily residences to increase density and income diversity.

Land Uses

Residential Commercial Park/Recreation/Conservation Public/Institutional

7

Rural Residential

Chamberlain Road, west of LaFayette


• Sense of place • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Growth preparedness • Housing opportunities


• Preserve rural features and limit residential development to lot sizes of one (Residential-Agricultural Zoning District) to five acres (Agricultural Zoning District).


• Require preservation of open space, trees, limit commercial and residential development

Incentives:

• Allow design variances for conservation subdivisions and individual homes

Public Investments:

• Public parks and greenspace/ trails to connect Residential and areas of interest such as general stores, churches, or community centers.


• Improve water and sewer, extend where practical, road resurfacing and repairing when and where necessary

Description

Rural, undeveloped land likely to face development pressures for lower density (one unit per one+ acres) residential development. Typically will have low pedestrian orientation and access, very large lots, open space, pastoral views, high degree of building separation.


Maintain rural atmosphere with new residential development by: • Permitting rural cluster or conservation subdivision design

that incorporate significant amounts of open space. • Encourage compatible architecture styles that maintain

regional rural character, without “franchise” or “corporate” architecture.

• Wherever possible, connect to regional network of greenspace and trails, available to pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians.

• Can be designed for greater pedestrian orientation and access, more character with attractive clustering of buildings

Land Uses

Residential Agriculture/Forestry Park/Recreation/Conservation

8

Industrial

Industrial site on GA Hwy 193, near the Tennessee state line


• Infill development • Regional identity • Appropriate businesses • Employment options


• Use industrial and small industry parks; have mix of small and large industry, develop incentive package for potential industry and evaluate the need for support industry.


• Require percentage of openspace on site Incentives:

• Tax breaks for incubators and small business for reuse and site cleanup

• Reusing existing industrial sites – adaptive reuse

Public Investments:

• Install high-speed internet, provide alternative access roads, Participate in funding Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority, signage


• Maintain and upgrade roads, install traffic lights, improve sewer/water

Description

Land used in higher intensity manufacturing, assembly, processing activities where noise, particulate matter, vibration, smoke, dust, gas, fumes, odors, radiation, or other nuisance characteristics are not contained on-site.


• Encourage greater mix of uses (such as retail and services to serve industry employees) to reduce automobile reliance/use on site.

Land Uses

Industrial Commercial

9

Greenspace/Conservation

Old Mineral Springs Road


• Sense of place • Transportation alternatives • Regional identity • Open space preservation: • Environmental protection • Growth preparedness • Regional cooperation


• Highlight areas with environmental significance. Utilize GIS system to document what properties already participate in the conservation programs available to them.


• Certain amount of area in development to be preserved as greenspace

Incentives:

• Land in conservation easements would provide rental payment

Public Investments:

• Park maintenance, patrols Infrastructure Improvements:

• Access Roads to areas such as Rocky Lane and the Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Areas.

Description

Primarily undeveloped natural lands and environmentally sensitive areas not suitable for development, e.g. scenic views, steep slopes, floodplains, wetlands, watersheds, wildlife management areas and other environmentally sensitive areas.


Maintain natural, rural character by: • No new development • Promote conservation easements • Widen only when absolutely necessary • Promote passive-use tourism and recreation

destinations.

Land Uses

Park/Recreation/Conservation

10

Mixed Use

Fieldstone Farms Mixed Use Planned Unit Development – Phase I


• Traditional neighborhood • Infill development • Sense of place • Appropriate businesses • Employment options • Housing opportunities


• Create vision for mixed use areas. Stormwater Management Plan for the Rock Spring Creek Watershed. Wetland and Spring Protection Plan for the historic Rock Spring.


• Design guidelines, infill use restrictions, update and enhance wetland protection ordinance.

Incentives:

• Walker County funded Stormwater Plan available for participation by landowners.

Public Investments:

• Stormwater Management Plan, Community Recreational Areas, Walker County Transit


• Create wifi hotspots, improve water and sewer services to accommodate creative designs

Description

• A mix of office, housing, and commercial uses • Walkable • Improves sense of community

Suggested Development Plan:

• Design Guidelines for Stores and Offices (Types, Appearance) includig connectivity guidelines, landscaping design, setbacks, greenspace requirements and stormwater plan.

• Encourage compatible architecture styles that maintain regional rural character, without “franchise” or “corporate” architecture.



Land Uses

Residential Commercial Park/Recreation/Conservation Public/Institutional Mixed Use

11

Agricultural/Forest

Hwy 193 near Nickajack Rd.


• Sense of place • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Growth preparedness


• Identify lands that participate in land trusts, conservation easements and the conservation covenant program


• Restrict commercial and residential development

Incentives:

• Conservation Covenants for Agricultural Lands

Public Investments:

• Public land as open space, recreation areas


• Use utility siting to control growth

Description

Lands in open, cultivated state or sparsely settled, woods, farms.


Maintain rural character by: • Strictly limiting new development. • Protecting farmland and open space • Promoting use of conservation easements by land owners • Limit residential subdivisions, require cluster or conservation

subdivision design, architecture that maintains rural character.

• Widen roadways only when absolutely necessary. • Carefully design the roadway alterations to minimize visual

impact • Promote these areas as passive-use tourism, recreation • Help young farmers to develop organic, agriculture and

protect the land.

Land Uses

Agriculture/Forestry

12

McLemore Cove Historic District

Part of McLemore Cove viewed from Lookout Mtn.

• Construction of new buildings and structures; and

• Loss of boundary demarcations, and small-scale landscape features; and disturbance of archaeological sites.

National Register listing does little to protect the pastoral and agricultural character of a rural historic landscape or the qualities, characteristics, or features that contribute to its eligibility. Protection must involve a strategy that integrates natural resource protection, scenic protection, farmland retention, and historic preservation.

Implementation Measures


• Identify the agricultural lands within the district using our GIS Technology. Identify all lands under conservation covenants and land trust using GIS Technology.


• Consider new McLemore Cover Historic Overlay District with associated land development regulations.

Incentives:

• Incentives for use of Conservation Subdivision design.

Public Investments:

• Mountain Cove State Park and Resort for Tourism of the Cove, Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Reserve, Cloudland Canyon State Park Area, etc.


• Water and Sewer in coordination with the State Park and Resort

Description Quality Community Objectives

National Register Registration Form (7/27/94), ‘the McLemore Cove Historic District is significant as a geographically well-defined rural area reflecting the patterns of agricultural and rural development in Northwest Georgia for more than a century’…

Threats to historic integrity: • Changes in land use or management practices that alter

vegetation, change the size or shape of fields, erase boundary demarcations, or flatten the contours of the land;

• Abandonment, realignment, widening, or resurfacing of historic roadways;

• Introduction of non-historic land uses such as quarries, open-pit mining, tree farms, sanitary landfill, recreational areas, public utilities, and subdivision for residential, commercial, or industrial development;

• Deterioration, abandonment, relocation, demolition, or substantial alteration of historic buildings and structures;

• Sense of place • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation • Environmental protection

Land Uses

Park/Recreation/Conservation Agriculture/Forestry Residential Commercial Public/Institutional

13

Scenic Corridor

Hwy 136 west of LaFayette


• Sense of place • Transportation alternatives • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation • Environmental protection


• Historical assessments New or revised local development regulations:

• Tree conservation Incentives:

• Planned developments receive variances for alternative access

• Developers receive smaller lot size requirements or additional lots for more protect greenspace.

Public Investments:

• Beautification projects, Transit Infrastructure Improvements:

• Planning pedestrian and bike trails beyond traffic barriers, water and sewer service where practical.

Description

Developed or undeveloped land paralleling the route of a major thoroughfare that has significant natural, historic, or cultural features, and scenic or pastoral views.


• Establish guidelines on development to protect the characteristics deemed to have scenic value.

• Guidelines for new development that enhances the scenic value of the corridor and addresses landscaping, architectural design.

• Manage access to keep traffic flowing; using directory signage to clustered developments.

• Provide pedestrian linkages to residential or commercial districts.

Land Uses

Commercial Residential Park/Recreation/Conservation Agriculture/Forestry Public/Institutional

14

Major Highway Corridor

U.S. 27 in southern Walker County


• Transportation alternatives • Appropriate businesses • Employment options • Regional cooperation


• Traffic studies Incentives:

• In return for developers having alternative access roads, other variances could be allowed.

Public Investments:

• Beautification projects, Transit Infrastructure Improvements:

• Planning pedestrian and bike trails beyond traffic barriers, water and sewer service lines

Description

Developed or undeveloped land on both sides of designated high-volume transportation facility, such as arterial roads and highways.


• Maintain a natural vegetation buffer (at least 50 feet in width). • All new development should be set-back behind this buffer,

with alternate access roads, shared driveways or inter-parcel roads

• Encourage landscaped, raised medians. • Provide pedestrian facilities behind drainage ditches or curb. • Provide paved shoulders for bike lanes or emergency lanes. • Coordinate land uses, bike/pedestrian facilities w/ transit

stops. • Manage access to keep traffic flowing; using directory signs. • Unacceptable uses: new billboards.

Land Uses

Commercial Transportation/Communication/Utilities Agriculture/Forestry Industrial

15

Gateway Corridor

Lee Clarkson Road, east of Chickamauga


• Sense of place • Transportation alternatives • Heritage preservation • Appropriate businesses • Employment options


• Inter-model Transportation Plan evaluation New or revised local development regulations:

• Landscape requirements for new or re-development, tree preservation regulations

Incentives:

• Developer variances for preserving trees or protection/enhancement of greenspace

Public Investments:

• Beautification projects Infrastructure Improvements:

• Water and sewer to help encourage commercial growth.

Description

Developed or undeveloped land paralleling the route of a major thoroughfare that serves as an important entrance or means of access to the community.


• Focus on appearance with appropriate signage, landscaping and other beautification measures.


• Retrofit or mask existing strip development or other unsightly features as necessary.

Land Uses

Commercial Residential Park/Recreation/Conservation Agriculture/Forestry Public/Institutional

16

Crossroads Community

Villanow community


• Infill development • Sense of place • Transportation alternatives • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation


• Traffic study at intersections New or revised local development regulations:

• Traditional neighborhood development principles, encourage neighborhood commercial development in nodes, landscaping requirements

Incentives:

• For infill, rehabilitation, development around major intersections

Public Investments

• Beautification projects, signage Infrastructure Improvements

• Public technology, High speed internet, water and sewerage when in close proximity.

Description

Rural historic communities, unincorporated, at intersection of main thoroughfares. Typically automobile focused with a mixture of uses to serve passers-by, rural and agricultural areas.


Maintain rural atmosphere while accommodating new residential or commercial development by: • Permitting rural cluster or conservation subdivision design that

incorporate and protect significant amounts of open space. • Encourage compatible architecture styles that maintain and

reflect the regional rural character, and should not include “franchise” or “corporate” architecture.

• Connect to regional network of greenspace and trails, available to pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians for both tourism and recreational purposes.

• Design for greater pedestrian orientation and access, more character with clustering of buildings within the center, leaving open space surrounding the center.

Land Uses

Commercial Residential Public/Institutional

17

Community Issues and Opportunities

This section provides an updated version of the list of issues and opportunities for

Unincorporated Walker County that was identified in the Community Assessment

portion of the Comprehensive Plan. This updated version reflects public comments

gained from the community participation activities as well as other input gathered

during the review of the Community Assessment. It is the final, locally agreed upon,

list of issues and opportunities the community intends to address. The following list is

organized by the major topics defined in the DCA Local Planning Requirements:

• Population

• Economic Development

• Housing

• Natural and Cultural Resources

• Community Facilities and Services

• Intergovernmental Coordination

• Transportation

Population

� Local governments deal with a broad spectrum of issues that are important to

citizens and many times, alternatives need to be discussed.

Economic Development

� Walker County lacks high-end commercial development, such as a four-star hotel

and restaurant.

� U.S. Highway 27 is not receiving adequate recognition as the most important

business corridor for Walker County, and the Cities of LaFayette, Chickamauga,

and Rossville.

� Walker County, Chickamauga, and Rossville should unify their economic efforts

with Tennessee and the City of Chattanooga to create an alternate “Gateway to

Georgia.”

� Streetscape improvements, where appropriate, are needed to stimulate small

business activities.

18

� The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s excursion train services could be

expanded to attract more tourists to Walker County, Rossville, and LaFayette.

� Business recruitment activities are not active enough in creating social gathering

places for young people.

� Facilities for arts activities and performances are lacking in Walker County.

� Marketing efforts for both recreational amenities and economic development

opportunities in Walker County can be improved.

� Walker County is not taking full economic advantage of the visitation to the

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.

� Cultural heritage artists, writers, and craftsman need to be embraced,

encouraged, and included in economic development strategies.

� The county’s equestrian industry is not being adequately promoted and

developed.

Housing

� Safe, affordable, and mixed housing for all age groups and family types is

needed in appropriate locations.

� Sustainable and walkable communities are needed.

� There is a lack of upscale apartment complexes and alternative housing options.

Natural and Cultural Resources

� Walker County’s scenic, park, recreation, and conservation areas are not

adequately promoted.

� Multiple waterways have potential to create blueway opportunities.

19

� The county lacks a master plan for its Mountain Cove Farm property in

McLemore Cove.

� More needs to be done toward the preservation of agricultural land, which

provides a large portion of the tax base.

� Land development projects need to consider historically significant features.

Community Facilities and Services

� The impacts of residential development on the school system are not being

adequately considered.

� Strategies need to be developed for cost-effective implementation of water and

sewer plans in the Villanow and Lookout Mountain areas.

� Infrastructure expansions could direct growth and redevelopment to desired

areas and avoid impacts on sensitive areas.

� The age, capacity, function, safety, efficiency, and maintenance needs of the

community’s public facilities have not been inventoried.

� Plans for passive recreation and the encouragement of healthy living and

wellness are lacking or inadequate.

� Neo-traditional development is needed as an alternative to “cookie-cutter

development.

Intergovernmental Coordination

� The Service Delivery Strategy needs to be updated.

� In concert with other local governments, the possibility of implementing

development impact fees should be explored.

20

Transportation

� Improvements to the Walker County transit system need to be explored.

� Our pedestrian and bicycle paths are not well-linked with those of neighboring

communities and the region.

� Our streets and streetscape improvements do not encourage traffic calming and

pedestrian/bike activity.

� People lack transportation options for access to housing, jobs, services, goods,

and recreation.

� Walker County needs to implement transportation projects to relieve congestion

and improve the efficiency and safety of its road network and to provide

connectivity to an interstate highway.

Implementation Program

The Implementation Program outlines the overall strategy for achieving the

Community Vision and for addressing the Community Issues and Opportunities. It

identifies specific measures to be undertaken by Walker County to implement the

comprehensive plan. The Implementation Program includes the following sections:

• Report of Accomplishments

• 2012-2016 Short Term Work Program

• Policies

Report of Accomplishments

The Report of Accomplishments (ROA) that follows provides a status of each work item

identified in the county's 2007-2011 Short Term Work Program. For each activity, the

ROA identifies whether it is completed, underway, postponed, or dropped. Reasons are

provided for activities that were dropped or postponed.

21

REPORT OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS WALKER COUNTY 2007-2011 STWP

Activity Completed Currently Underway

Postponed Not

Accomplished Explanation for Postponed or

Unaccomplished Activity


Armuchee Valley [Water Project] X

Lookout Mountain [Water Project] X

Mountain View Subdivision [Water Project] X

West Cove Road [Water Project] X

Coke Oven to Chattanooga Valley Contact Water Line X The need for this activity was met by other means.

Dry Valley Road [Sewer Project] X

Lail Road [Sewer Project] X

Evaluate other areas of the County to determine future [sewer] needs and include on the next SPLOST.

X

New [Sewer] Project TBD and completed X

Expand Civic Center (Parking & Storage) X With assistance from the North Georgia Animal League, Dog Park was completed instead of this item.

Recreational Facilities X

Recreational Facilities – County Sports Complex – Community Center and Athletic

X

Continue to pursue an Equestrian/Sports Complex at the Old Barwick Mill

X Barwick Mill is being considered for another use at this time.

Explore opportunities for a new and larger Agricultural Facility in order to expand use.

X

Walker County Primary Health Care X

22



Postponed Not



Road Re-striping Program X

County-wide Utility Plan X

Explore options for 4 year college programs perhaps using Northwestern Technical College location

X

Northwestern Technical College merged with Coosa Valley Technical College in 2009 as Georgia Northwestern Technical College, operating campuses in four counties; but no four-year programs are offered.

Participate in the Work Force Development Program through the Department of Community Affairs

X

Implement Hazard Mitigation Plan X

Continue to work toward Class 3 ISO Rating X

Construction of New East Armuchee Fire Hall and Community Center

X

Construction of Highway 136 & 157 Fire Hall X

No agreement could be reached with property owners at this intersection, but negotiations are underway for a nearby location on Hwy 157.

Construction of Old Mineral Springs Rd Fire Hall X

Update Communities Facilities Element of Comprehensive Plan

X


Increase participation and utilization of economic development services available by participating in the North Georgia Development Authority

X

Develop standard incentive package to encourage industrial and commercial businesses to locate in Walker County.

X

23



Postponed Not



Develop an inventory of vacant sites and buildings that are available for new or redevelopment and/or infill development

X

Develop a business development strategy based on our community’s strengths, assets, and weaknesses.

X

Consider the types of businesses already in our community and our available workforce and create a plan to recruit business/industry that will be compatible.

X

Using the business plans and participating in the NGJDA, encourage new jobs for skilled and unskilled labor, as well as professional and managerial jobs.

X

Develop Comprehensive Tourism Plan X

Develop Hwy 27 and Hwy 2 Tourism Corridor – including frontage roads

X

State Park Lodge on Pigeon Mountain with trails X Lack of funding

Equestrian Center – redevelopment of brownfields X Site targeted for an equestrian center is currently being considered for another use

Industrial Park Development/Re-development in Rossville Area

X

Ongoing exploration of new industrial development and use of Industrial Revenue Bonds

X

Embrace and encourage cultural heritage (i.e. artists, writers, etc.) in economic development by hosting art exhibits and other activities.

X

Downtown re-development Rossville, Chickamauga, and Lafayette

X County is not involved in downtown development activities in the municipalities

Encourage new development of hotels, bed & breakfast, and other overnight accommodations to allow for overnight tourist to our area

X

Pursue sit down restaurants to locate in areas of Walker County to add to tourism plan.

X

24



Postponed Not



Shields Crossroads Hotel and Welcome Center X Property targeted for the Welcome Center was sold and developed for other purposes.

Market Walker County as a location for filming for Motion Picture Industry

X

Pursue opportunities for Broadband in Walker County X

Pursue opportunities to locate a sports complex such as YMCA or other similar organization.

X

Update Economic Development Element of Comprehensive Plan

X

Housing

Encourage mixed use developments to meet need of affordable, safe housing for all age groups and family types in communications with potential developers.

X

Encourage mixed use developments to meet need of affordable, safe housing for all age groups and family types by providing information on the Department of Community Affairs funding opportunities for these types of projects.

X

Update Housing Element of Comprehensive Plan X

Land Use

Amend Walker County Land Development Regulations to be more comparable to Better Site Design Standards and to better protect existing farmland.

X

Update County’s Official Code Section Manual (Annually)

X

Have all Land Development Regulations available on CD for sale to the public.

X Waiting for codes to be updated before providing on CD

Continue to review and update Land Development Regulations as appropriate.

X

25



Postponed Not



Update Websites on a regular basis for most current information including codes on municode.com, flagshipgis.com and on walker.co.ga.us.

X

Add additional information to flagshipgis.com as it becomes available (e.g., flood maps, zoning updates, storm drainage structures, etc.).

X

Rock Spring – Stormwater Management Study and Community Plan including wetland protection project with community park/educational area

X

Continue to Implement the New Stormwater Management Program

X

Implement the TMDL Implementation Plan X

Explore the Opportunity for an Overlay District in McLemore Cove Area

X An overlay district ordinance was drafted, but further action has been postponed until district boundary concerns can be resolved.

Updating and developing ordinances to manage growth – including incentives to attract unique housing developments

X

Make GIS capabilities available in all County offices that can benefit from the system.

X

Add the Cities’ information to the County GIS system and website, including zoning, flood maps, etc.

X

Update Walker County Comprehensive Plan X


Indian Artifacts Museum at Barwick Mill or other appropriate location.

X Barwick Mill is being considered for another use, and no other suitable location has been identified.

Civil War Historical Marker Trails X

26



Postponed Not



County trails system – extension of greenspace throughout county for connectivity

X

Publish map of countywide parks and recreation resources

X

Create and continue to update the Walker County Water Resources Map using our GIS system and use it to help protect our natural resources.

X

Take steps toward revising the land development regulations in order to protect steep slopes and the bluff.

X

Work with TVA and other organizations within the Quality Growth Readiness Program.

X

Historic Preservation Plan for Walker Co. X Lack of funding

General Planning

Update Population Element of Comprehensive Plan X

Update computer equipment, software and other technology in all County Offices as needed.

X

Strategize on incentives for preventing high school drop-out

X

Participate in the Safe routes to school program X

27

2012-2016 Short Term Work Program (STWP)

The Short-Term Work Program (STWP) identifies specific implementation actions the

county government or other entities intend to take during the first five-year timeframe of

the planning period. This includes ordinances, administrative systems, community

improvements or investments, and financing arrangements or other programs/initiatives

to be put in place to implement the comprehensive plan. For each listed activity, the

STWP provides the following information:

• Brief description of the activity

• Timeframe for undertaking the activity

• Responsible party for implementing the activity

• Estimated cost (if any) of implementing the activity

• Funding source(s), if applicable

28

WALKER COUNTY 2012-2016 SHORT TERM WORK PROGRAM

Activity Description Timeframe

Responsible Party Cost

Estimate Funding Source

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016


Increase participation and utilization of economic development services available by participating in the Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority

X X X X X City and County Officials $1.5/capita/yr. Participating county governments

Periodically review the standard incentive package used to encourage industrial and commercial businesses to locate in Walker County. Revise as needed.

X X X X X Walker County Development Authority (WCDA)

$1,000 Development Authority

Periodically review the inventory of vacant sites and buildings that are available for new or redevelopment and/or infill development. Update regularly.

X X X X X Walker County Government Officials, Chamber, WCDA, and Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority (NWGAJDA)

$1,000 Development Authority

Develop a written business development strategy based on our community’s strengths, assets, and weaknesses. Consider the types of businesses already in our community and our available workforce and create a plan to recruit business/industry that will be compatible. Using the business plans and participating in the NWGAJDA, encourage new jobs for skilled and unskilled labor, as well as professional and managerial jobs.

X X X X X Walker County Government Officials, Chamber, WCDA, and NWGAJDA

$5,000 County; WCDA; NWGAJDA

Develop U.S. Hwy 27 Tourism Corridor – including frontage roads. Consider an overlay zoning district for the area to support the plan.

X X X X X Walker County Government Officials, Chamber, WCDA, NWGAJDA, and U.S. Hwy 27 Association

$1,000 State grants; participating county governments

Develop a written comprehensive tourism plan for all of Walker County in addition to the U.S. Hwy 27 Tourism Corridor. Include in the plan mapping, advertising in print, with billboards, websites, TV, radio, etc.


$82,000 Grants, Chamber, county, NWGAJDA

State Park Lodge or Private Hotel/Conference Center on Lookout Mountain or Pigeon Mountain


$30 M State; private funding

Actively participate in encouraging utilization and enhancement of the greenways trail system. Include maps of these trail systems on our GIS system and website.

X X X X X Walker County Government Officials, Chamber, WCDA, and NWGAJDA – State Agency & Land Trusts

$400,000 Grants, state & local

Continue to pursue the possibility of an equestrian center somewhere in Walker County.

X X X X X Walker County Government Officials, WCDA, and NWGAJDA

$5 M Private

Actively work toward the redevelopment of brownfields as the opportunity arises.


$1,000 Development Authorities

29





2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Pursue redevelopment of the GA Hwy 2 corridor in Walker County, possibly incorporating a frontage road and Wilson Road interchange.


$1,000 TIA, Private, County

Industrial Park Development on Hwy 27 & West Reed Road X X X X X Walker County Government Officials, WCDA, and NWGAJDA

$12.5 M Private Investors, ARC, bonds

Ongoing exploration of new industrial development and use of Industrial Revenue Bonds


$1,000 County

Embrace and encourage cultural heritage (i.e. artists, writers, etc.) in economic development by hosting art exhibits and other cultural activities.

X X X X X Walker County Government Officials, Chamber, WCDA, NWGAJDA, Art Guild, and private citizens

$1,000 Cities of Chickamauga and LaFayette, private, Walker County, fundraisers

Encourage new development of hotels, bed & breakfast, and other overnight accommodations to allow for overnight tourist to our area. Possibly a Shields Crossroads Hotel and Welcome Center


$1,000 ($31.5 M for facility

construction)

Development Authorities; Welcome Center: private, public

Actively pursue sit-down restaurants to encourage them to locate in areas of Walker County in an effort to support the tourism plan.


$1,000 Development Authorities

Continue to actively market Walker County as a location for filming for Motion Picture Industry


$1,000 NWGAJDA

Pursue opportunities for Broadband in Walker County X X X X X Walker County Government Officials, Chamber, WCDA, and NWGAJDA

$1,000 Grants

Pursue opportunities to locate a sports complex such as YMCA or other similar organization.


$1,000 County Government

Identify intersections with the highest volume of traffic and market those as points of interest for development.


$1,000 County Government

Incorporate a new business license program for the unincorporated area of Walker County.

X X X X X Walker County Government $5,000 County Government

Install a new electronic sign at the Walker County Civic Center to better inform the public of special events at the Civic Center.

X X X X X Walker County Government, Walker County Chamber, NWGAJDA

$15,000 County Government, fundraisers, private donations.

30





2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Housing

Encourage mixed use developments to meet needs of affordable, safe housing for all age groups and family types in communications with potential developers. Provide information on the Department of Community Affairs funding opportunities for these types of projects as opportunities arise.

X X X X X Walker County Government Officials $1,000 County

Update and develop ordinances to manage growth – including incentives to attract unique housing developments

X X X X X Walker County Government $1,000 County

Update the County Building Code Ordinances to match the most updated version of the states codes.

X Walker County Government $1,000 General Fund


Find an appropriate location for an Indian Artifacts Museum and take steps toward opening this type of facility.

X X X X X County Government $1,000 County Government

County trails system – extension of greenspace throughout county for connectivity

X X X X X County Government and State Agencies $62,500 County; GDOT TE funding; grants

Publish map of countywide parks and recreation resources on the website and in print.

X County Development Authority (Larry Brooks)

$60,000 County Development Authority

Create and continue to update the Walker County Water Resources Map using our GIS system and use it to help protect our natural resources.

X X X X X County Government $1,000 General Fund

Update the areas requiring special attention Map and utilize it to help protect our natural resources and critical areas.

X County Government & RDC $1,000 RDC CO

Take steps toward revising the land development regulations in order to protect steep slopes and the bluff.

X County Government $1,000 County

Develop a countywide Historic Preservation Plan X X X X X Hist. Pres. Comm. $25,000 County; grants

Amend Walker County Land Development Regulations to be more comparable to Better Site Design Standards and to better protect existing farmland.

X X X X X Review as Needed CO. $1,000 County

Rock Spring – Utilize the Stormwater Management Study to develop a Community Plan, including wetland protection project with community park/educational area.

X County Government $100,000+ Grants

31





2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Continue to Implement the Stormwater Management Program X X X X X County Government $125,000 General Fund, user fees, grants

Implement the TMDL Implementation Plan X X X X X County Government $20,000 General Fund, user fees, grants

Explore the Opportunity for an Overlay District in McLemore Cove Area

X County Government $1,000 County

Explore ways to fund hydrology and hydraulic studies in areas where the National Flood Insurance Program’s FEMA Flood Maps are incorrect and outdated in order to provide the most accurate information possible with regard to flood damage prevention.

X X X X X County Government, FEMA $500,000 General Fund, user fees, grants, state or federal funding

Participate in the Water Partnership for our Region to continue to find ways to better protect our water resources and still be able to provide affordable water service.

X X X X X Northwest Georgia Water Partnership and the Coosa Partnership

$1,000 General Fund, Walker County Water & Sewer Authority.

Find ways to improve the county recycling program and environmental education in an effort to support the state’s goal of 25% reduction to our landfills.

X X X X X County Government $10,000 Annual donation from waste haulers.

Develop and implement an “Environmental” Court to address enforcement of certain County ordinances.

X County Government $5,000 General Fund, user fees, court costs, etc.


Armuchee Valley Water Project X X X Walker County Water & Sewerage Authority, Walker County Governing Authority

$4 M SPLOST, grants, and tap fees

Lookout Mountain Water Project

X Walker County Water & Sewerage Authority, Walker County Governing Authority

$2 M SPLOST, grants, and tap fees

Evaluate other areas of the County to determine future sewer needs. Include on the next SPLOST

X X X X X Walker County Water & Sewerage Authority, Walker County Governing Authority

$1,000 County; Walker County Water & Sewerage Authority

Explore options for expanding the Civic Center Facilities and Parking, and possibilities for the School System since their new property joins the Civic Center property.

X Walker County

$1,000 (expansion TBD)

SPLOST, grants, General Fund, user fees

32





2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Continue to pursue recreational opportunities throughout Walker County to enhance the quality of life. This could include all types of recreation, such as equestrian, sports, agricultural, community centers, athletics, etc.

X

Walker County; unincorporated communities

$1,000 (expansion TBD)

SPLOST, grants, General Fund, user fees

Participate in the Work Force Development Program through the Department of Community Affairs

X X X X X Walker County Commissioner $1,000 General Fund

Implement Hazard Mitigation Plan X X X X X Walker County; Cities of Chickamauga, LaFayette, Lookout Mountain, & Rossville

$1,000 General Fund, grants, Emergency Services fees

Continue to work toward Class 3 ISO Rating X X X X X Walker County $1,000 Emergency Services fees

Construction of a new Fire Hall on Hwy 157 south Walker County.

X Walker County $1.3 M SPLOST, grants, General Fund, user fees

Construction of a new Fire Hall on Lula Lake Road north Walker County.

X Walker County $1.3 M SPLOST, grants, General Fund, user fees

Update County’s Official Code Section Manual (Annually) through municode.- County Website

X X X X X Walker County $5,000/yr General Fund and fees collected

Have all Land Development Regulations available on CD for sale to the public.

X Walker County $1,000 General Fund and fees collected

Continue to review and update Land Development Regulations as appropriate.

X X X X X Walker County $1,000 General Fund and fees collected

Update Websites on a regular basis for most current information including codes on municode.com, mapping data on qpublic.com (www.walkerassessors.com), and on www.walkerga.us.


Add additional information to qpublic.com (www.walkerassessors.com) as it becomes available, example flood maps, zoning updates, storm drainage structures, updated aerial photography, etc.


Make GIS capabilities through the use of the ESRI software available in all County offices that can benefit from the system.


Add the Cities’ information to the County GIS system and website, including zoning, flood maps, etc.


33





2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Update computer equipment, software and other technology in all County Offices as needed.


Annually review fees to ensure that the Planning & Development Office (including the Stormwater Program) and Inspections and Enforcement Offices are self supporting services provided to the citizens.


Continue support of the Walker County Chamber of Commerce X X X X X Walker County $24,000/yr. + facilities

General Fund and fees collected

Continue to maintain and operate the Walker County Civic Center making improvements as funding becomes available.


Continue to provide Code Enforcement throughout Walker County (including animal control, county police, & building inspection).

X X X X X Walker County $300,000/yr. General Fund and fees collected

Due to the redistricting of the State, evaluate the location of voting precinct in Walker County and make changes that are for the convenience of the voters in order to increase voter participation.



Agricultural Services - Ag Center, Department of Agriculture, Etc.

X X X X X Walker County; state & federal agencies $200,000/yr. General Fund, grants, private donations, user fees

Animal Shelter Improvements X Walker County $50,000 General Fund, grants, private donations, user fees

Archives/Records Updates of Equipment and Maintain Facility X X X X X Walker County $50,000 General Fund, grants

Beverage Control Board Review of Existing Permits to ensure continued compliance.

X X X X X Walker County TBD General Fund, fees

Update technology as needed for the E911 center, the Sheriff’s Department, and the Fire Department to provide the most effective emergency response possible.

X Walker County $1 M Emergency Services fees, grants, SPLOST, General Fund

Continue to support the cities with services as needed and as available.

X X X X X County and Cities As needed SPLOST, General Fund

34





2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Transportation System

Update list of all county maintained roads and prioritize the list for improvement purposes in an effort to better maintain the road system.

X X X X X Walker County $1,000 TIA, General Fund, sales tax 1%

Develop standard operating procedures for maintenance of all county owned roads and drainage ways, including scheduled inspections of each.

X Walker County $1,000 TIA, General Fund, sales tax 1%

Develop and implement more detailed record keeping procedures for all work scheduled and completed.

X Walker County $15,000/yr. General Fund

Road Re-striping Program X X X X X Walker County $20,000/yr. General Fund

Continue to provide public transportation through the Walker County Transit.

X X X X X Walker County, State $300,000 General Fund, grants, state funding, etc.

Implement the Transportation Investment Act of 2010 Projects

X X X X Walker County $35.8 M TIA

35

Policies

Policies are adopted to provide ongoing guidance and direction to county officials. They

provide a basis for making decisions in implementing the comprehensive plan, including

achieving the Community Vision and appropriately addressing the Community Issues

and Opportunities. The following policies have been adopted by the Walker County

government:

Development Patterns

• Our decisions on new development will contribute to, not take away from, our community’s character and sense of place.

• We encourage development that is sensitive to the historic context, sense of place, and overall setting of the community.

• We want development whose design, landscaping, lighting, signage, and scale add value to our community.

• Our community will use land efficiently to avoid the costs and problems associated with urban sprawl.

• We will preserve the rural character of our community and provide the opportunity for agricultural and forestry activities to remain a vital part of the community.

• Our gateways and corridors will create a "sense of place" for our community.

• Creation of recreational facilities and set-aside of greenspace are important to our community.

• We are committed to providing pleasant, accessible public gathering places and parks throughout the community.

• We are committed to redeveloping and enhancing existing commercial and industrial areas within our community in preference to new development in Greenfield (previously undeveloped) areas of the community.

• We support appropriate residential and non-residential in-fill development and redevelopment in ways that complement surrounding areas.

• We encourage mixed-use developments that are human-scale and less auto-oriented.

36

• We support increases in residential density in areas where community design standards, environmental constraints and available infrastructure capacities can satisfactorily accommodate the increased density.

• We support new land uses that contribute to protecting the environment and preserving meaningful open space.

• We support new land uses that enhance housing options in our community.

• We will encourage development of a rational network of commercial nodes (villages, or activity centers) to meet the service needs of citizens while avoiding unattractive and inefficient strip development along major roadways.

• We are open to land planning and development concepts that may be new to our area but have been tried successfully in other places.

• We will make decisions that encourage walking, biking, car-pooling, and other alternative transportation choices.

• We will target transportation improvements to support desired development patterns for the community (recognizing that ready availability of transportation creates demand for land development in adjacent areas).

• Our new and reconstructed roadways will be appropriately designed, using context sensitive design considerations, to enhance community aesthetics and to minimize environmental impacts.

• Our new and reconstructed roadways will be designed to accommodate multiple functions, including pedestrian facilities, parking, bicycle routes, public transit (if applicable) as well as local vehicular circulation.

• We will promote connectivity of our road network (such as fostering a grid network of streets, multiple connections between subdivisions).

• We support creation of a community-wide pedestrian/bike path network.

• We will ensure (through traffic calming and other design considerations) that excessive vehicular traffic will not harm the peaceful nature of our residential neighborhoods.

37

Resource Conservation

• The protection and conservation of our community’s resources will play an important role in the decision-making process when making decisions about future growth and development.

• We will minimize inefficient land consumption and encourage more compact urban development in order to preserve green open space and natural resource areas.

• We will encourage new development to locate in suitable locations in order to protect natural resources, environmentally sensitive areas, or valuable historic, archaeological or cultural resources from encroachment.

• We will factor potential impacts on air and water quality in making decisions on new developments and transportation improvements.

• Infrastructure networks will be developed to steer new development away from sensitive natural resource areas.

• We will promote the protection and maintenance of trees and green open space in all new development.

• We will promote low impact development that preserves the natural topography and existing vegetation of development sites.

• We will work to redirect development pressure away from agricultural areas in order to conserve farmland to protect and preserve this important component of our community.

• We will ensure safe and adequate supplies of water through protection of ground and surface water sources.

• We will promote enhanced solid waste reduction and recycling initiatives.

Community Facilities and Infrastructure

• Our community will make efficient use of existing infrastructure and public facilities in order to minimize the need for costly new/expanded facilities and services.

• We will protect existing infrastructure investments (i.e., already paid for) by encouraging infill redevelopment, and compact development patterns.

38

• We will ensure that new development does not cause a decline in existing levels of service for the community’s residents and employers.

• We will limit development within our community to areas that can be reasonably served by public infrastructure.

• We will ensure that capital improvements needed to accommodate future development are provided concurrent with new development.

• We will coordinate provision of public facilities and services with land use planning to promote more compact urban development.

• The community will use sequential, phased extension of utilities and services to encourage rational expansion of development to areas immediately contiguous to already developed areas of the community.

• Our community will use planned infrastructure expansion to support development in areas identified (in the comprehensive plan) as suitable for such development.

• The community will seek ways for new growth to pay for itself (in terms of public investment in infrastructure and services to support the development) to the maximum extent possible.

• We will invest in parks and open space to enhance the quality of life for our citizens.

• We will work with the local school board to encourage school location decisions that support the community’s overall growth and development plans.

Social and Economic Development

• We will support programs for retention, expansion and creation of businesses that are a good fit for our community’s economy in terms of job skill requirements and linkages to existing businesses.

• We will target reinvestment to declining, existing neighborhoods, vacant or underutilized sites or buildings in preference to new economic development projects in Greenfield (previously undeveloped) areas of our community.

• We will seek to balance the supply of housing and employment in our community and consider their location in relation to each other.

• We will take into account access to housing and impacts on transportation when considering economic development projects.

39

• We will take into account impacts on infrastructure and natural resources in our decision making on economic development projects.

• We will consider the employment needs and skill levels of our existing population in making decisions on proposed economic development projects

• We will carefully consider costs as well as benefits in making decisions on proposed economic development projects.

• We will eliminate substandard or dilapidated housing in our community.

• We will stimulate infill housing development in existing neighborhoods.

• We will create affordable housing opportunities to ensure that all those who work in the community have a viable option to live in the community.

• We will encourage development of housing opportunities that enable residents to live close to their places of employment.

• We will accommodate our diverse population by encouraging a compatible mixture of housing types, densities and costs in each neighborhood.

• We will encourage housing policies, choices and patterns that move people upward on the housing ladder from dependence to independence (home-ownership).

• We will increase opportunities for low-to-moderate income families to move into affordable owner-occupied housing.

• We support dispersion of assisted housing throughout the community in order to diversify neighborhoods and eliminate pockets of poverty.

• We will foster and preserve public health, safety, comfort and welfare, and aid in the harmonious, orderly, and aesthetically pleasing and socially beneficial development of our county.

Governmental Relations

• We will seek opportunities to share services and facilities with neighboring jurisdictions when mutually beneficial.

• We will work jointly with neighboring jurisdictions on developing solutions for shared regional issues (such as growth management, watershed protection)

40

• We will pursue joint processes for collaborative planning and decision-making with neighboring jurisdictions

• We will consult other public entities in our area when making decisions that are likely to impact them.

• We will provide input to other public entities in our area when they are making decision that are likely to have an impact on our community or our plans for future development.

• We will engage in cooperative planning between the local government and local school board in regard to the appropriate location and use of schools as community facilities.

41

Chapter 3

City of Chickamauga

Presenting the Community Vision, Community Issues & Opportunities, and the

Implementation Program for the City of Chickamauga

Community Vision

The Community Vision is intended to paint a picture of what the community desires to








A dynamic, historic community steeped in beauty and sense of place, with small town values guiding us toward progressively planned growth and a unique quality of life.

The above vision statement was prepared as part of an inclusive, participatory

community strategic planning process in 2005 named Vision Chickamauga “Focusing

on Quality Growth, Preservation, and Community Values.” It resulted from considerable

thought and discussion regarding the desired characteristics and values of a prosperous

and unified Chickamauga community.

42

Future Development Map & Defining Narrative

A key component of the comprehensive planning process is the creation of a Future

Development Map that reflects the city's vision for growth and development for the




Future Development Map for the City of Chickamauga.





that:






information:

• Description

• Land use(s)





those to be allowed in the character area. The Quality Community Objectives

(QCO) identifies the QCOs that will be pursued in the area. These objectives were

adopted by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to measure how

communities preserve their unique resources while accommodating future

development. The Quality Community Objectives can be found in Appendix B.

Finally, the implementation measures identify strategies the city can take to help

achieve the desired development patterns for the area.

43

44

Traditional Residential

Residential subdivision on W. 12th Street


• Traditional neighborhood • Infill development • Sense of place • Heritage preservation • Housing opportunities




• Preservation, rehabilitation, infill guidelines and emphasis

Incentives

• Tax incentives or variances Public Investments

• Sidewalks, beautification projects Infrastructure Improvements:

• Improve existing water and sewer, provide high speed internet, transit

Description

A neighborhood having relatively well-maintained housing, possess a distinct identity through architectural style, lot and street design, and has higher rates of home-ownership. Location near declining areas of town may cause this neighborhood to decline over time. Grid and curvilinear street patterns; built pre- and post WW II.


• Reinforce stability by encouraging homeownership and maintenance or upgrade of existing properties.

• Vacant properties in the neighborhood offer an opportunity for infill development of new, architecturally compatible housing.

• Include well-designed new neighborhood activity center at appropriate locations, which would provide a focal point

• Strong pedestrian and bicycle connections for residents

Land Uses

Residential

45

Mill Village

Houses on East 10th Street


• Sense of place • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Housing opportunities • Infill development

• More detailed sub-area planning • New or revised local development

regulations • Incentives • Public Investments • Infrastructure Improvements

Description

Mill village housing is generally pre-WWII housing around 800-900 sq. ft. in size located on small lots. Development is in a “cookie-cutter fashion; 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, kitchen, living room, front and back porches. Land Uses

Residential

46

Historic Town Center

A portion of the historic downtown area

• New development should be of appropriate scale and architectural compatibility to fit well into the area’s historic fabric.

• Pedestrian access and open space should be maintained or enhanced.

• Linkages to regional greenspace/trail systems should be encouraged.


• Protect historic resources and character of the area by designation of local historic districts and historic resources design standards.

• Promote use of appropriate state and federal tax incentives for rehabilitation of historic properties. Quality Community Objectives

• Sense of place • Traditional neighborhood • Housing opportunities • Transportation alternatives • Environmental protection • Open space preservation • Heritage preservation • Educational opportunities • Appropriate businesses • Regional identity

Description

This character area is the historic core of the city, containing the historic downtown commercial area as well as historic public/institutional and residential resources in and around the downtown, including features, community landmarks, and civic or cultural uses of historic interest. The area corresponds closely to the National Register-listed Chickamauga Historic District (7/20/2007), significant in the areas of architecture, commerce, and community planning and development.


• The area’s historic development patterns should be respected and preserved.

• Historic properties should be protected from demolition, and rehabilitation should be encouraged with appropriate incentives.

• Historic properties should be maintained or rehabilitated / restored according to The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards or local design guidelines.

Land Uses

Commercial Public/Institutional Park/Recreational/Conservation Residential

47

Redevelopment Area

Manufactured home park on Lee Avenue


• Growth preparedness • Open space preservation • Infill development • Housing opportunities • Regional cooperation

• Use manufactured home compatibility standards to ensure architectural compatibility of manufactured homes with adjacent single-family houses and according to applicable federal and manufacturer’s requirements.

• Regulate the appearance, layout, and location of mobile home parks, manufactured home parks, and recreational vehicle parks.

• Revise local development regulations to make it easier to develop affordable housing.

Description

This character area currently consists of a manufactured home park. There is no home ownership in the area, and the manufactured housing is generally substandard. The vision for this area includes several acceptable redevelopment alternatives: (1) an improved/upgraded manufactured housing community with increased owner-occupied housing; (2) a subsidized rental housing development; (3) a recreational vehicle (RV) park to support area tourism; or (4) acquisition of the property by the city for park/greenspace use as part of the Crawfish Springs Nature Trail.

Land Uses

Residential Commercial Park/Recreation/Conservation

48

Industrial

Industrial site on U.S. 27


• Infill development • Sense of place • Heritage preservation • Environmental protection • Appropriate businesses • Employment options • Open space preservation


• Use industrial and small industry parks; have mix of small and large industry




Public Investments:

• Install high-speed internet, provide alternative access roads



Description



• Encourage greater mix of uses (such as retail and services to serve industry employees) to reduce automobile reliance/use on site.

Land Uses

Industrial Park/Recreation/Conservation

49

Greenspace/Conservation/Preservation

Coke Ovens Park


• Sense of place • Regional identity • Open space preservation • Environmental protection


• Specify features to be preserved, highlighted New or revised local development regulations:

• Minimal development Incentives:

• Conservation easements in endangered areas receive higher rental payments

Public Investments:

• Maintenance, marketing as passive use recreation


• Road maintenance, alteration guidelines

Description

Primarily undeveloped natural lands and environmentally sensitive areas not suitable for development, e.g., scenic views, blueways, steep slopes, floodplains, wetlands, watersheds, wildlife management areas and other environmentally sensitive areas.


Maintain natural, rural character by: • No new development • Promotion of conservation easements • Widen roadways in these areas only when absolutely

necessary. • Design roadway alterations to minimize visual impact. • Promote as passive-use tourism and recreation

destinations

Land Uses


50

Gateway Corridor

Crittenden Avenue


• Infill development • Sense of place • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Appropriate businesses • Housing opportunities • Regional cooperation

More detailed sub-area planning

• Overlay zoning district New or revised local development regulations

• Sidewalk width, other streetscape elements Incentives:

• Developer variances for preserving trees Public Investments

• Beautification projects Infrastructure Improvements

• Maintain sidewalks, street lamps

Description





• Wayfinding signage program

Land Uses

Commercial Residential Park/Recreation/Conservation Public/Institutional

51


This section provides an updated version of the list of issues and opportunities for the

City of Chickamauga that was identified in the Community Assessment portion of the

Comprehensive Plan. This updated version reflects public comments gained from the

community participation activities as well as other input gathered during the review of

the Community Assessment. It is the final, locally agreed upon, list of issues and

opportunities the community intends to address. The following list is organized by the

major topics defined in the DCA Local Planning Requirements:

• Population


• Housing




• Transportation

Population

� The proportion of the population that is over 65 years of age will increase and

this population group will require specialized housing and services.


� Business recruitment and retention activities should target tourism-related

businesses for the historic downtown area and other retail business types for the

U.S. Highway 27 corridor.

� Our Community’s economic development programs should be coordinated

through the Walker County Chamber of Commerce, the Walker County

Development Authority, and the Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority.

� Chickamauga has limited space for industrial development/expansion; large

scale industrial development, therefore, should be guided toward unincorporated

Walker County.

52

Housing

� The manufactured home parks on Lee Avenue are in need of redevelopment.


� Educational programs are needed to emphasize the importance of storm water

management and recycling.

� To protect community character, the Chickamauga Historic Preservation

Commission can recommend historic districts for local designation and develop

historic district design guidelines.

� A multi-use trail linking the city and the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National

Military Park is underway.

� Efforts to enhance greenways and blueways should continue, including linkages

to important historic preservation sites.


� The Chickamauga Senior Center is in need of rehabilitation.

� All underground utilities are desirable for improved reliability, public safety, and

aesthetics.


� The city should coordinate with Walker County to ensure maintenance of roads,

delivery of utility services, and efficient investment in schools and other public

buildings.

� The city should continue to establish border agreements to address detailed

questions of land use, access, property value, and annexation procedures.

53

Transportation

� Transportation improvements are needed to relieve congestion and provide

traffic calming in appropriate locations.

� Parking in the downtown area and in pedestrian-friendly retail districts needs

evaluation for safety, adequacy, and availability.

� Speed limits on each of our community’s streets need evaluation with

consideration given to adjacent pedestrian activities.

� Schools and the downtown business area are within easy walking distances of

neighborhoods, but the community’s sidewalk system needs to be upgraded and

expanded.




identifies specific measures to be undertaken by the City of Chickamauga to

implement the comprehensive plan. The Implementation Program includes the

following sections:



• Policies



identified in the city’s 2007-2011 Short Term Work Program. For each activity, the ROA

identifies whether it is completed, underway, postponed, or dropped. Reasons are


54

REPORT OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS CITY OF CHICKAMAUGA 2007-2011 STWP


Postponed Not



Facilities and Services

Water line replacement and improvement X

Sewer line replacement and improvement X

Develop streetscaping plan for city downtown area - Phase I should be under construction by January 2007

X

Develop and implement sidewalk plan for both residential and business district

X

Develop comprehensive recreation plan to include youth, adult, and senior recreation needs

X Lack of funding

Recreation improvements X

Trolley car to shuttle visitors X Dropped as a city initiative

Acquire historic properties currently in the hands of private landowners for protection and public access

X

Wayfinding signage X Lack of funding

Street Improvements X


Market the community and recruit new businesses –affiliated with Chamber of Commerce

X

Hire professional team to market Chickamauga nationwide

X Lack of funding

Marketing our community to be a Heritage Tourism Destination

X

Facilitate building of new hotel/motel X

55



Postponed Not



Market property for Victorian Hotel Complex X

Local schools are working with industry to implement

walk guides X Not a city initiative

Local schools to partner with industry for Youth

Apprenticeship opportunities X Not a city initiative

WACOPEP – Business Partnerships with schools X Not a city initiative

Submit proposal for participation in Georgia

Department of Community Affairs Better Hometown

Program

X No longer a priority

Develop plan for downtown revitalization X

Implement downtown planning strategies X

Housing

Promotion of the development of residential housing units through zoning management

X

Land Use

Adopt proper ordinances to enforce building codes X

Using GPS technology, develop land resource and city infrastructure data bases (in conjunction with the county)

X

Develop a local greenway plan using Crawfish Springs Park and Coke Oven Park as anchor points in the city. Link with West Chickamauga Greenway Project

X

Conduct annual review and update all land use policies X

56



Postponed Not




Hold Quality Growth Workshops X

Adopt proper ordinances for protection of community resources, for example, trees

X

Network with community civic organizations to provide beautification and clean-up

X

Develop plan for management of vacant mill village parcels acquired by city during flood mitigation project

X

City-wide stormwater runoff plan (NPDES Phase II) is complete. Continue implementation. $2/month stormwater fee for residents has been implemented

X

Currently working with Walker County to develop linkages between local trail systems, state designated bike routes, and existing trails in neighboring communities

X

Developing a bicycle trail X

Develop trail from City of Chickamauga to the Chickamauga Battlefield

X

Historic Resources

Nominate eligible districts and properties to the National and Georgia Register of Historic Places. Historic Downtown District has been sent to federal government. Nomination for Coke Ovens is underway

X

Purchase Gordon Lee Mansion to add to historic inventory

X

Develop heritage interpretive facility of Gordon Lee Mansion

X

Develop a comprehensive local historic preservation/landmark ordinance

X

57



Postponed Not



Transportation

Develop a municipal parking lot X

Safe routes to school program X

58



city government or other entities intend to take during the first five-year timeframe of the

planning period. This includes ordinances, administrative systems, community









59

CITY OF CHICKAMAUGA 2012-2016 SHORT TERM WORK PROGRAM




2012 2013 2014 2015 2016


Market the community and recruit new businesses in coordination with Chamber of Commerce, WCDA, NWGJDA, and SEIDA.

X X X X X City of Chickamauga; Chamber of Commerce; WCDA; NWGJDA; SEIDA

$8,000/yr. City; Chickamauga Electric System

Market Chickamauga as a heritage tourism destination. X X X X X City of Chickamauga; Chamber of Commerce

$50,000 Local; state; federal; ARC

Market old city hall property for a “Victorian” hotel development. X X X X X Public; private $25,000 Local; state; private

Housing

Promote a full range of senior housing opportunities X X X X X City of Chickamauga $1,000 City

Apply for CDBG funds to revitalize the manufactured housing park areas.

X X X X X City of Chickamauga $500,000 CDBG


Partner with volunteer groups for an annual waterway cleanup. X X X X X City of Chickamauga; civic organizations $1,000 City; donations; volunteer labor

Complete Chickamauga Creek blueway within city. X City of Chickamauga $10,000 City

Complete historic resources survey – Phase I. X X City of Chickamauga; Chickamauga HPC $8,000 City; HPF grant

Complete landscape plan for Gordon-Lee House. X X City of Chickamauga; Chickamauga HPC $5,000 City; donations; grants

Adopt proper ordinances for protection of community resources (e.g., trees).

X X X X X City of Chickamauga $1,000 City

Develop plan for management of vacant mill village parcels acquired by city during flood mitigation project.

X X X X X City of Chickamauga $50,000 City; state

Continue implementation of the stormwater management plan. X X X X X City of Chickamauga $50,000 City


Complete renovation of the Chickamauga Older Americans Center

X X X X X City of Chickamauga $1,000,000 City; CDBG

60





2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Underground placement of utilities – Phase I X X X X X City of Chickamauga $5,000,000 Electric system revenues; loans; grants

Implement a recycling education program. X X X X X City of Chickamauga; civic organizations $3,000 City; donations

Implement a stormwater education program. X X X X X City of Chickamauga; civic organizations $3,000 City; donations

Develop dressing room facilities on Gordon-Lee House property.

X X City of Chickamauga $50,000 City; donations; grants

Implement water system improvements. X X X X X City of Chickamauga $1M/yr. City; CDBG

Implement sewer system improvements. X X X X X City of Chickamauga $400,000 Local; state; federal

Develop comprehensive recreation plan to include youth, adult and senior recreation needs.


Recreation improvements X X X X X City of Chickamauga $100,000 City; state

Update land use regulations as needed. X X X X X City of Chickamauga ; Chickamauga Planning Commission

$10,000 City

Using GPS technology, develop land resource and city infrastructure databases (in conjunction with Walker County)

X X X X X City of Chickamauga ; Walker County $75,000 City; County

Adopt proper ordinances to enforce building codes X X X X X City of Chickamauga $25,000 City


Update the Service Delivery Strategy. X City of Chickamauga; Walker County: NWGRC

Staff time City


Complete street improvements (resurfacing; traffic calming; intersection improvements)

X X X X X City of Chickamauga $79,000/yr. TIA

Develop and implement a sidewalk plan for both residential and business districts.


Develop and implement a wayfinding signage program. X X X X X City of Chickamauga $50,000 City; state

61





2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Construct the Chickamauga Battlefield Multiuse Trail from the city to the Chickamauga and Chattanooga NMP (including a municipal parking lot).

X X X X X City of Chickamauga; Walker County, GDOT

$460,000 City; county; TE funds

Work with Walker County to develop linkages between local trail systems, regional bike routes, and existing trails in neighboring communities.

X X X X X City of Chickamauga; Walker County $100,000 City; county; state; federal

62

Policies

Policies are adopted to provide ongoing guidance and direction to city officials. They



and Opportunities. The following policies have been adopted by the City of

Chickamauga:


• Our decisions on new development will contribute to, not take away from, our community’s character and sense of place.


• We want development whose design, landscaping, lighting, signage, and scale add value to our community.



• We will encourage the development of downtown as a vibrant center of the community in order to improve overall attractiveness and local quality of life.

• We are committed to creating walkable, safe, and attractive neighborhoods throughout the community, where people have easy access to schools, parks, and necessary services (grocery store, drug store) without having to travel by car.

• Creation of recreational facilities and set-aside of greenspace are important to our community.



• We support appropriate residential and non-residential in-fill development and redevelopment in ways that complement surrounding areas.

63


• We support increases in residential density in areas where community design standards, environmental constraints and available infrastructure capacities can satisfactorily accommodate the increased density.



• We will strive to discourage unattractive and inefficient commercial strip development in our community.

• We are open to land planning and development concepts that may be new to our area but have been tried successfully in other places.



• Our new and reconstructed roadways will be appropriately designed, using context sensitive design considerations, to enhance community aesthetics and to minimize environmental impacts.

• Our new and reconstructed roadways will be designed to accommodate multiple functions, including pedestrian facilities, parking, bicycle routes, public transit (if applicable) as well as local vehicular circulation.




64


• The protection and conservation of our community’s resources will play an important role in the decision-making process when making decisions about future growth and development.

• We will minimize inefficient land consumption and encourage more compact urban development in order to preserve green open space and natural resource areas.

• We will encourage new development to locate in suitable locations in order to protect natural resources, environmentally sensitive areas, or valuable historic, archaeological or cultural resources from encroachment.

• We will factor potential impacts on air and water quality in making decisions on new developments and transportation improvements.







• Our community will make efficient use of existing infrastructure and public facilities in order to minimize the need for costly new/expanded facilities and services.

• We will protect existing infrastructure investments (i.e., already paid for) by encouraging infill redevelopment, and compact development patterns.


65



• We will coordinate provision of public facilities and services with land use planning to promote more compact urban development.


• Our community will use planned infrastructure expansion to support development in areas identified (in the comprehensive plan) as suitable for such development.


• We will invest in parks and open space to enhance the quality of life for our citizens.


• We will support programs for retention, expansion and creation of businesses that are a good fit for our community’s economy in terms of job skill requirements and linkages to existing businesses.

• We will target reinvestment to declining, existing neighborhoods, vacant or underutilized sites or buildings in preference to new economic development projects in Greenfield (previously undeveloped) areas of our community.

• We will seek to balance the supply of housing and employment in our community and consider their location in relation to each other.



66





• We will create affordable housing opportunities to ensure that all those who work in the community have a viable option to live in the community.


• We will accommodate our diverse population by encouraging a compatible mixture of housing types, densities and costs in each neighborhood.

• We will encourage housing policies, choices and patterns that move people upward on the housing ladder from dependence to independence (homeownership).

• We will increase opportunities for low-to-moderate income families to move into affordable owner-occupied housing.



• We will seek opportunities to share services and facilities with neighboring jurisdictions when mutually beneficial.


• We will pursue joint processes for collaborative planning and decision-making with neighboring jurisdictions


67


• We will engage in cooperative planning between the local government and local school board in regard to the appropriate location and use of schools as community facilities.

68

Chapter 4

City of LaFayette


Implementation Program for the City of LaFayette









The City of LaFayette, a progressive, rural community that is a gateway to the

Appalachian Mountain chain, is committed to preserving and protecting its

abundant natural and historic resources, while promoting residential, commercial

and industrial growth, and supporting and encouraging education of its youth

and workforce. In order to promote and maintain a superior quality of life, the

City of LaFayette has identified the following areas to address: Redeveloping

declining residential areas and idle commercial and industrial sites, improving

aging infrastructure, expanding airport facilities and operations, promoting

industrial and commercial retention and recruitment, preserving and promoting

historic and natural resources.

69

Future Development Map & Defining Narrative A key component of the comprehensive planning process is the creation of a Future

Development Map that reflects the city's vision for growth and development for the




Future Development Map for the City of LaFayette.





that:






information:

• Description

• Land use(s)










measures identify strategies the city can take to help achieve the desired


70

71

Traditional Neighborhood

Azalea Drive – Laurel Drive


• Traditional neighborhood • Infill development • Sense of place • Transportation alternatives • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Growth preparedness • Housing opportunities • Regional cooperation


• Preserve traditional and historic features while adapting for current use.



Incentives:

• Tax incentives or variances Public Investments:


• Improve existing utilities, provide high speed internet, transit

Description

A neighborhood having relatively well-maintained housing, possess a distinct identity through architectural style, lot and street design, and has higher rates of home-ownership. Location near declining areas of town may cause this neighborhood to decline over time. Built on grid and curvilinear patterns, pre- and post-WWII housing, sidewalks, small yards.





• Strong pedestrian and bicycle connections for residents

Land Uses

Residential

72

Rural Residential

Hickory Creek Lane


• Sense of place • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Growth preparedness • Housing opportunities • Educational opportunities • Regional cooperation


• Preserve rural features and limit residential development


• Require preservation of open space, trees, limit commercial and residential development

Incentives:

• Allow design variances for conservation subdivisions and individual homes

Public Investments:

• Public parks and greenspace/ trails to connect Residential and small stores


• Improve utilities, extend where practicable

Description

Rural, undeveloped land likely to face development pressures for lower density (one unit per two+ acres) residential development. Typically will have low pedestrian orientation and access, very large lots, open space, pastoral views, high degree of building separation.


Maintain rural atmosphere with new residential development by: • Permitting rural cluster or conservation subdivision design that

incorporate significant amounts of open space. • Encourage compatible architecture styles that maintain

regional rural character, without “franchise” or “corporate” architecture.



Land Uses

Residential Agriculture/Forestry

73

School

LaFayette High School campus


• Growth preparedness • Educational opportunities • Open space preservation • Transportation alternatives • Regional solutions

• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the Walker County Board of Education.

• Develop mutually beneficial locations for schools and appropriate land uses adjacent to and/or near school property.

• To the extent possible, locate schools in neighborhoods in order to allow children to walk to school, reduce transportation costs, serve existing neighborhoods, and use existing infrastructure.

Description

The School character area represents public school sites within the city limits of LaFayette. The area represents the primary school building(s) as well as associated outdoor space and facilities such as athletic fields and facilities, walkways, drives, and parking lots. Pedestrian connectivity between schools and neighborhoods is a goal for both existing and planned facilities.

The development pattern should seek to:

• Provide school sites that create neighborhood and regional focal points;

• Provide quality pedestrian infrastructure to encourage walking;

• Provide pedestrian linkages to adjacent neighborhoods, where possible.

Land Uses

Public/Institutional Park/Recreational/ Conservation

74

Parks/Greenspace

Queen City Lake


• Sense of place • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Growth preparedness • Regional cooperation


• Highlight areas with historical significance New or revised local development regulations:

• Certain amount of area in development to be preserved as greenspace

Incentives:

• Land in conservation easements would provide rental payment

Public Investments:

• Park maintenance, patrols; implement measures to protect cemetery to preserve history


• Renovating park equipment

Description

Area of protected open space that follows natural and manmade linear features for recreation, transportation and conservation purposes and links ecological, cultural and recreational amenities.

Greenways can provide safe, efficient pedestrian linkages and at the same time give users an opportunity to enjoy the natural environment. Properly designed greenways can serve as an alternative transportation network


• Linking greenspaces into a pleasant network of greenways where practical.

• Set aside land for pedestrian and bicycle connections between schools, churches, recreation areas, city centers, residential neighborhoods and commercial areas where practical.

Land Uses

Park/Recreation/Conservation Public/Institutional

75

Golf Course

LaFayette Golf Course


• Sense of place • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Growth preparedness

• Preservation of greenspace • Recreational usage and connectivity with

downtown area, other green space areas, community centers, airport

Description

Recreation area owned and maintained by City of Lafayette. Ongoing expansion of clubhouse. View of Pigeon Mountain. Sidewalks, play areas, trail connections to other areas included.

Land Uses


76

Downtown Mixed Use

Buildings fronting west and southwest sides of LaFayette’s “square”


• Infill development • Sense of place • Transportation alternatives • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Appropriate businesses • Employment options • Housing opportunities


• Create vision for mixed use areas New or revised local development regulations:

• Design guidelines, infill use restrictions Incentives:

• Tax incentives for downtown mixed use infill

Public Investments:

• Ask that public spaces/ plazas be included in new developments


• Create wifi hotspots, improve utilities, public transit

Description

• A mix of office, housing, and commercial uses • Walkable • Improves sense of community


• Design guidelines for stores and offices (types, appearance)

• Upstairs housing around square where practical

Land Uses

Commercial Residential Mixed Use

77

Downtown Business District

Walker County government buildings in LaFayette’s Downtown

Business District


• Traditional neighborhood • Infill development • Sense of place • Transportation alternatives • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Growth preparedness • Appropriate businesses • Employment options • Housing opportunities

More detailed sub-area planning: • Create vision for mixed use areas New or revised local development regulations: • Design guidelines, infill use restrictions Incentives: • Tax incentives for downtown mixed use

infill Public Investments: • Ask that public spaces/ plazas be

included in new developments Infrastructure Improvements: • Create wifi hotspots, improve utilities,

public transit

Description

A concentrated focal point with general retail, service commercial, professional office, higher-density housing, public and open space


• Relatively high-density mix of retail, office, services, employment and residential

• Higher density mixed income housing options next to the center

• Design for pedestrians with connections between uses • Define road edges by locating buildings at roadside, rear

parking • Include direct connections to the greenspace and trail

networks. • Add sidewalks, pedestrian-friendly trail/bike routes to link to

neighboring communities, libraries, schools, parks, health centers, etc.

Land Uses

Commercial Residential Park/Recreation/Conservation Public/Institutional

78

Industrial

Industrial site on GA Hwy. 337


• Infill development • Sense of place • Transportation alternatives • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Growth preparedness • Appropriate businesses • Employment options • Educational opportunities






Public Investments:

• Install high-speed internet, provide alternative access roads


• Maintain and upgrade roads, install traffic lights, improve utilities

Description



• Encourage carpooling. • Assemble properties into one area.

Land Uses

Industrial Park/Recreation/Conservation

79

Airport

Barwick-LaFayette Airport (top is east)


• Sense of place • Transportation alternatives • Regional identity • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Growth preparedness • Appropriate businesses • Regional cooperation


• Tie to commercial, industrial surroundings New or revised local development regulations:

• Buffer requirements Incentives Public Investments:

• Market on county/city website Infrastructure Improvements:

• Maintain roads

Description

• Municipal airport • May be linked to nearby industry, commercial areas


• Design guidelines similar to industrial, commercial, where practicable

• Linkage of airport to golf course, other sites where appropriate

Land Uses

Transportation/Communication/Utilities

80

Redevelopment Area

Southeast section of the Redevelopment Area


• Traditional neighborhood • Infill development • Sense of place • Transportation alternatives • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Growth preparedness • Appropriate businesses • Housing choices opportunities • Educational opportunities • Regional cooperation


• Opportunity Zones, Enterprise Zones, Urban redevelopment area

Incentives:

• Tax incentives Public Investments:

• Community Development Block Grant Infrastructure Improvements:

• Sidewalks, Civic projects for beautification and pride, and utility improvements

Description

An area that has most of its original housing stock in place, but housing conditions are worsening due to low rates of homeownership and neglect of property maintenance. There may be a lack of neighborhood identity and gradual invasion of different type and intensity of use that may not be compatible with the neighborhood residential use.


• Focus on strategic public investments to improve conditions, appropriate infill development on scattered vacant sites, and encouraging more homeownership and maintenance or upgrade of existing properties.

• Public assistance and investment should be focused where needed to ensure that the neighborhood becomes more stable, mixed-income community with a larger percentage of owner-occupied housing.

Land Uses

Residential Commercial Public/Institutional Park/Recreation/Conservation

81

Gateway Corridor

South Main Street (U.S. 27/SR 1 Business)


• Infill development • Sense of place • Transportation alternatives • Regional identity • Environmental protection • Appropriate businesses • Employment options • Housing opportunities

More detailed sub-area planning: • Historical overlay district New or revised local development regulations: • Sidewalk width, other streetscape

elements, especially street lamps Incentives: • Developer variances for preserving trees,

buffer vegetation, and vegetation islands in large parking lots

Public Investments: • Beautification projects Infrastructure Improvements • Maintain sidewalks, street lamps

Description






Land Uses

Commercial Residential Public/Institutional Park/Recreation/Conservation

82

Major Highway Corridor

U.S. Hwy 27 – LaFayette Bypass


• Traditional neighborhood • Infill development • Sense of place • Regional identity • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Growth preparedness • Appropriate businesses • Housing opportunities • Regional cooperation

More detailed sub-area planning: • Traffic studies New or revised local development regulations: • Restrict billboards Incentives: • In return for developers having

alternative access roads, other variances could be allowed.

Public Investments: • Beautification projects

Description

Developed or undeveloped land on both sides of designated high-volume transportation facility, such as arterial roads and highways.


• Maintain a natural vegetation buffer (at least 50 feet in width).

• All new development should be set-back behind this buffer, with alternate access roads, shared driveways or inter-parcel roads

• Encourage landscaped, raised medians where appropriate. • Provide pedestrian facilities behind drainage ditches or

curb. • Provide paved shoulders for bike lanes or emergency

lanes. • Manage access to keep traffic flowing; using directory

signs. • Unacceptable uses: new billboards.

Land Uses

Residential Commercial Transportation/Communication/Utilities

83



City of LaFayette that was identified in the Community Assessment portion of the






• Population


• Housing




• Transportation


� LaFayette will continue to support the development of new businesses and

industrial growth.

� The Main Street and Certified Local Government programs, as well as other civic

programs and groups, can provide support to existing businesses.

� Educational opportunities seek to match job availability.

� There are vacant and abandoned/contaminated properties and declining

commercial areas in our community.

Housing

� Mixed use development in appropriate locations should be encouraged.

� Redevelopment of substandard and special needs housing is not being adequately encouraged and some neighborhoods are in need of revitalization.

84


� Citizens generally are unaware of natural and cultural resources, their

significance, and the benefits of their conservation/preservation.

� Public and private sectors need to combine forces in the interest of natural and

cultural resources.

� The Fort Cumming site has potential to become an interpretive site for the Trail of

Tears National Historic Trail.

� A railroad park with rail cars and a museum would be a potential tourism

attraction for our community.


� The city’s water treatment and distribution system needs to be upgraded and

expanded.

� The city’s sewer collection and treatment system needs to be upgraded and

expanded.

� The city’s recycling program needs to be expanded.

� Public safety and public works vehicles and equipment need to be on a

replacement schedule.

� City recreation facilities need to be improved and expanded.

� Natural gas infrastructure is in need of upgrade and expansion.

� Our city hall is outdated and in bad repair.

� The city’s ordinances need to be reviewed and updated.

� Land use and development regulations should encourage continuous

streetscapes and pedestrian amenities, as well as infill development.

85

� The possibility of restablishing a 24-hour emergency health care facility in our

community needs to be explored.


� The Service Delivery Strategy should be updated and its use encouraged.

Transportation

� Airport improvements should parallel local population and business growth.

� Transportation Enhancement funds for local transportation projects should be

pursued.

� The feasibility of a west side corridor around LaFayette should be investigated.




identifies specific measures to be undertaken by the City of LaFayette to implement

the comprehensive plan. The Implementation Program includes the following

sections:



• Policies






86

REPORT OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS CITY OF LAFAYETTE 2007-2011 STWP


Postponed Not



Population Change

Require utility expansion as expense responsibility of developers to manage growth

X

Zoning process to manage growth X

Promote education through displays of different cultures and ethnicities

X

Promote housing development directed at low-to-moderate income, elderly and disabled

X


Establish Historic Preservation Commission X

Promote greenspace creation and management X

Coordinate with and support Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority.

X

Coordinate efforts with Northwestern Technical Inst., high school, Department of Labor, etc.

X

Promote Increased Job Training efforts with Northwestern Technical Inst.

X

Target industries, businesses that match skills to local workforce

X

Acquire additional property X

In process of joining Main Street Downtown Revitalization Program; LaFayette Downtown Development Authority will initiate a community awareness program and act as a local preservation advocate.

X

Work with Walker County Chamber of Commerce to promote heritage tourism

X

87



Postponed Not



Natural Resources

Promote establishing enterprise zones, opportunity zones and redevelopment areas in brownfield/grayfield areas especially encouraging green development

X

Promote environmental aspects and potential of Main Street program

X

Promote protection and conservation of Queen City Lake.

X

Consider Greenway/ heritage corridor approach to link parks with historic resources from the Square North along N. Main Street including Fort Cumming.

X

Encourage good land management practices in flood prone areas, steep slopes, unsuitable soils and environmentally sensitive areas

X


Coordinate with County and school system when considering offering incentives for redevelopment

X

Consider utility rate incentives where appropriate X

Develop additional water source X Lack of funding

Improve and expand existing water system X

Install new tank at Swanson property X

Renovate Dixon Springs Treatment Plant and Wells X Lack of funding

Improve and upgrade wastewater infrastructure and treatment facilities

X

Convert drop-off recycling program to curb-side pickup and encourage citizens to participate

X Lack of funding

88



Postponed Not



Expand and upgrade natural gas infrastructure. X

Establish a central public works center for all city crews.

X

Housing

Pursue federal and state funding to develop a housing rehabilitation program for vacant or poorly maintained Historic Residence properties in West LaFayette and the Linwood area

X Lack of funding and have other higher community priorities

Encourage upstairs living in downtown business district X

Encourage development of neighborhood stores X Not a community priority

Demolish outdated LaFayette Housing Authority units at Foster Circle and rebuild

X

Land Use

Review, update ordinances to encourage redevelopment of blighted areas, those encouraging infill, redevelopment of brownfields and greyfields.

X Lack of staff and economic climate

Review and update ordinances to establish multi-use development in downtown district

X

Review and update subdivision regulations X

Review and update sign ordinances X

Review and update building codes X

Review and update ordinances to promote quality residential growth and development of new subdivisions

X

89



Postponed Not



Review and update ordinances to preserve stable neighborhoods throughout city and protect historic resources within the city including rehabilitation for vacant or poorly maintained Historic Residence properties in West LaFayette and the Linwood area

X Working first on local designation of historic business district; other areas planned for local historic district designation in the future.

Review and update ordinances for natural resources and environmental protection.

X

Review and update ordinances to encourage redevelopment of substandard and special needs housing.

X

Pursue a location study for open space and greenspace area to be linked within the city

X

Promote efforts to link historic land use elements within a greenway plan.

X

Incorporate best management practices in development.

X

Establish Historic Preservation Commission X

Designate Historic Preservation districts X

Nominate eligible properties to National Register X

Coordinate preservation efforts with other governments X

Develop annexation studies as needed for areas adjacent to existing city boundaries.

X Not a priority at this time

Transportation

Link commercial, residential, historic and natural areas through system of trails

X Lack of funding and manpower; flood damage

Implement streetscape plan to encourage pedestrian traffic downtown

X

Promote restoration of historic square and conduct traffic study

X Activity promoted but dropped due to lack of public support

90



Postponed Not



Conduct parking study X Not a current priority

Widen runway X

Construct additional T-Hangars X Land availability and poor economic climate

Fence around airport X

Pursue Transportation Enhancement funds for local transportation projects.

X

Extend and straighten South Chattanooga Street and North Chattanooga Street.

X Lack of funding


Coordinate land use efforts with other governments. X

Avoid duplication of services. X

Hold public meetings. X

Submit news releases to local media. X

Cultural and Historic Resources

Expand existing recreational facilities. X

Build new golf course clubhouse and continue upgrades at golf course.

X

Freedom Festival, fly-in, Scare on the Square, LaFayetteFest, Christmas parade, etc.

X

Restore and rehabilitate [Chattooga Academy] building and site.

X

Use [Chattooga Academy] building as Main Street/Economic Development office.

X

91



Postponed Not



Develop museum for local history [at Chattooga Academy].

X

Coordinate rehabilitation [of Chattooga Academy] with Main Street program.

X

Coordinate programs with schools, businesses, civic groups, Downtown Development Authority, etc.

X

Support a Heritage Education Curriculum in the Walker County School System

X

Seek Downtown design assistance from Interagency Council on Community Design for restoration/rehabilitation of downtown buildings.

X The Interagency Council on Community Design no longer exists.

Develop park at Fort Cumming as interpretive site for Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.

X Lack of funding

Develop Sunrise Hosiery Mill property as multipurpose or civic center

X Building demolished by owner

Support the development of a County-wide preservation plan for Walker County

X Change in priorities; lack of funding

92













93

CITY OF LAFAYETTE 2012-2016 SHORT TERM WORK PROGRAM




2012 2013 2014 2015 2016


Expand DDA area to add more businesses X City; LaFayette DDA $500 City

Promote the Main Street Program and maintain annual accreditation.

X X X X X City; LaFayette DDA Staff time City

Promote greenspace creation and management (consider

greenway/heritage corridor approach to link parks with historic

resources from the Square North along N. Main Street including

Fort Cumming).

X X X X X City; private; nonprofits $30,000 General fund; grants; donations

Coordinate with and support Northwest Georgia Joint

Development Authority and Walker County Development

Authority.

X X X X X City; Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority; Walker County Development Authority

$1,000 General fund

Promote Increased Job Training efforts with Georgia

Northwestern Technical College and Georgia Dept. of Labor. X X X X X City; GNTC; NWGRC $1,000 WIA; GDOL

Target industries and businesses that match skills to the local

workforce. X X X X X City; WCDA; NWGJDA; GDEcD; MEAG $1,500 General fund; grants;

Continue LaFayette DDA’s community awareness program and local preservation advocacy.

X X X X X City; LaFayette DDA $1,000 General fund; DNR-HPD (HPF grants)

Work with Walker County Chamber of Commerce to promote heritage tourism.

X X X X X City; Walker County Chamber of Commerce $1,000 General fund; grants; donations

Promote establishing enterprise zones, opportunity zones and redevelopment areas in brownfield/grayfield areas.

X X X X X City; LaFayette DDA; WCDA; NWGJDA $1,000 City; DCA; OneGeorgia Authority

Housing

Encourage infill housing and mixed-use development. X X X X X City; LaFayette DDA $1,000 City

Provide incentives for upstairs living in the downtown business district.

X X X X X City; LaFayette DDA $5,000 General fund; DCA; GMA; grants

Review and update ordinances to encourage redevelopment of blighted areas, those encouraging infill, redevelopment of brownfields and greyfields.

X X X X X City $5,000 City

94





2012 2013 2014 2015 2016


Designate downtown LaFayette as local historic district and adopt design guidelines.

X X City; LaFayette HPC $1,000 City

Nominate LaFayette’s historic business district to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

X X City; LaFayette HPC $7,000 City; HPF grant

Nominate historic residential areas north and south of the square to the NRHP and designate as local historic districts.

X X City; LaFayette HPC $15,000 City; HPF grant

Promote public education on Fort Cumming and the Trail of Tears.

X X X X X City; LaFayette HPC; Trail of Tears Assoc. $1,000 City; grants

Participate in Civil War 150th Anniversary activities by working with sites in the county and region.

X X X X City; local event planning committee $500/yr. Local governments; fundraising; grants

Continue to promote historic and cultural resources with brochures and websites.

X X X X X City; Lafayette HPC and DDA $7,500 City; grants

Support reopening of Foothills Art Gallery in downtown LaFayette.

X X X X X City; Walker County; Northwest Georgia Arts Guild

Staff time General fund

Move railroad car onto acquired property and develop as model railroad museum.

X X X X X City; Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum; LaFayette HPC and DDA

$20,000 Donations; private funds

Implement Stormwater Management Program X X City $10,000 User fees; city

Protect water quantity and quality of Queen City Lake. X X X X X City; property owners adjacent to Queen City Lake

$1,000 General fund; user fees; grants


Replace force main from Shattuck Industrial Blvd. X City; Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund $175,000 City; GEFA; user fees; grants

Replace Shattuck Industrial Blvd. lift station X City; Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund $150,000 City; GEFA; user fees; grants

Replace Spring Creek interceptor and trunk lines X City; Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund $1,000,000 City; GEFA; user fees; grants

Phase II Town Creek interceptor from Rambler Road to Warren Road

X City; Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund $2,000,000 City; GEFA; user fees; grants

Replace McArthur Street interceptor X City; Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund $200,000 City; GEFA; user fees; grants

95





2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Replace subsoiler X City; Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund $200,000 City; GEFA; user fees; grants

Replace sludge nurse truck X City; Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund $200,000 City; GEFA; user fees; grants

Sludge storage tank X City; Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund $500,000 City; GEFA; user fees; grants

Phosphorus chemical feed system for settlement sludge X City; Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund $75,000 City; GEFA; user fees; grants

New well and clear well at Lee School Road X City; Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund $200,000 City; GEFA; user fees; grants

Build treatment plant for Dixon Springs X X City; Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund $2,000,000 City; GEFA; user fees; grants

New well in Rock Spring area X City; Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund $100,000 City; GEFA; user fees; grants

Automated water meters and meter boxes X X X X X City; Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund $25,000/yr City; GEFA; user fees; grants

Replace 2-inch galvanized water lines (23.5 miles) X X X X X City; Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund $20,000/yr City; GEFA; user fees; grants

Replace water main on Coffman Springs Road (approx. 1.98 miles)

X City; Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund $130,000 City; GEFA; user fees; grants

New 2 MG concrete water tank at Colerain Street X City; Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund $750,000 City; GEFA; user fees; grants

Fire flow improvements for Skyland Heights Subdivision X City; Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund $500,000 City; GEFA; user fees; grants

Build new city hall in downtown X X City $2,000,000 SPLOST

Convert drop-off recycling program to curb-side pickup and encourage citizens to participate

X X X City $30,000 City; user fees

Expand the city’s natural gas system. X X Gas Department $1,000,000 MGAG loan

Establish emergency connection to another natural gas source (AGL).

X Gas Department $100,000 MEAG; GEFA; user fees

Create a capital improvement plan. X City Staff time General fund

96





2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Replace police vehicles X X X X X City $400,000 City; grants

Police equipment (new/replacement) X X X X X City $30,000 City; grants

Early warning system X City $30,000 City; grants

New fire trucks X City $410,000 City; SPLOST; grants (AFG)

Fire command vehicle X City $36,000 City; SPLOST; grants (AFG)

Fire, rescue, and haz-mat support equipment X X X X X City $120,000 City; SPLOST; grants (AFG)

New fire vehicle/equipment building X City $300,000 City; SPLOST; grants (AFG)

Repair/improve city swimming pool or replace with water park X X City $200,000 City; SPLOST; grants

Renovate Simmons, Joe Stock, Max Stoker, Lowell Greene, and Municipal Parks

X X X City $300,000 City; grants

Renovate the Ross Abney Recreation Complex X X X City $200,000 City; SPLOST; grants

Finish construction of Presbyterian Memorial Park and maintain lease for public use.

X X X X X City; LaFayette HPC and DDA; LaFayette Presbyterian Church

$2,500 Donations

Street Department vehicles (Bobcat; 1-ton dump trucks; paving machine; backhoe; side-arm tractor; tandems; Gradall excavator)

X X X X X City $500,000 City; grants; SPLOST

Cemetery improvements and Cemetery Department equipment X X X X X City $125,000 General fund

Mausoleum and cremation burial facilities X X City $75,000 General fund

Maintenance Department equipment (wash rack; heavy equipment lift)

X X X City $60,000

Sanitation Department equipment (front-end loader; knuckle booms)

X X X City $170,000 User fees, general fund; grants; SPLOST

97





2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Replace existing meters with electronic receiver/transmitter (ERT) meters

X X City $20,000 Enterprise fees; MEAG; grants; SPLOST

Sub-station primary conversion (upgrade all 2.4 KV lines to 7.2 KV)

X X X X X City $250,000 Enterprise fees; MEAG; grants; SPLOST

Establish two-way feeds to reduce outage time X X X X X City $150,000 Enterprise fees; MEAG; grants; SPLOST

Replace existing street lights with lower wattage sodium X X X X X City $15,000 Enterprise fees; MEAG; grants; SPLOST

Computer replacement X X X City $30,000 General fund

Update software for utility billing, taxes, and permits to a more efficient product.

X X City $50,000 Enterprise f’unds, general fund

Update vehicle fuel system to allow use of I.D. cards for obtaining fuel.

X City $10,000 General fund

Review and update city planning and zoning ordinances X X X X X City Staff time City

Explore the possibility of reestablishing a 24-hour emergency health care facility in our community.

X X X X X City; private $1,000 City


Update Service Delivery Strategy X City; Walker County; NWGRC Staff time City


Build new airport terminal and demolish old terminal X City; volunteers $700,000 City; OneGeorgia; donated labor

Pursue Transportation Enhancement funds for additional streetscape phases or other local transportation projects.

X X City $500,000 City; GDOT TE

Conduct a feasibility study of a west side corridor around LaFayette.

X X City; Walker County; GDOT; private $10,000 City; Walker County; GDOT; private

98

Policies




and Opportunities. The following policies have been adopted by the City of LaFayette:


• Our decisions on new development will contribute to, not take away from, our

community’s character and sense of place.


• We want development whose design, landscaping, lighting, signage, and scale

add value to our community.



• We will encourage the development of downtown as a vibrant center of the

community in order to improve overall attractiveness and local quality of life.

• We are committed to creating walkable, safe, and attractive neighborhoods throughout the community, where people have easy access to schools, parks, and necessary services (grocery store, drug store) without having to travel by car.

• Creation of recreational facilities and set-aside of greenspace are important to

our community.


• We are committed to redeveloping and enhancing existing commercial and

industrial areas within our community in preference to new development in Greenfield (previously undeveloped) areas of the community.

• We support appropriate residential and non-residential in-fill development and

redevelopment in ways that complement surrounding areas.


• We support new land uses that contribute to protecting the environment and

preserving meaningful open space.

99


• We will encourage development of a rational network of commercial nodes (villages, or activity centers) to meet the service needs of citizens while avoiding unattractive and inefficient strip development along major roadways.

• We are open to land planning and development concepts that may be new to

our area but have been tried successfully in other places.


• We will target transportation improvements to support desired development

patterns for the community (recognizing that ready availability of transportation creates demand for land development in adjacent areas).

• Our new and reconstructed roadways will be appropriately designed, using

context sensitive design considerations, to enhance community aesthetics and to minimize environmental impacts.

• Our new and reconstructed roadways will be designed to accommodate multiple

functions, including pedestrian facilities, parking, bicycle routes, as well as local vehicular circulation.

• We will promote connectivity of our road network (such as fostering a grid

network of streets, multiple connections between subdivisions).




• The protection and conservation of our community’s resources will play an

important role in the decision-making process when making decisions about future growth and development.

• We will minimize inefficient land consumption and encourage more compact

urban development in order to preserve green open space and natural resource areas.

• We will encourage new development to locate in suitable locations in order to

protect natural resources, environmentally sensitive areas, or valuable historic, archaeological or cultural resources from encroachment.

• We will factor potential impacts on air and water quality in making decisions on

new developments and transportation improvements.

100


• We will promote the protection and maintenance of trees and green open space

in all new development.


• We will ensure safe and adequate supplies of water through protection of ground

and surface water sources.



• Our community will make efficient use of existing infrastructure and public

facilities in order to minimize the need for costly new/expanded facilities and services.

• We will protect existing infrastructure investments (i.e., already paid for) by

encouraging infill redevelopment, and compact development patterns.


• We will limit development within our community to areas that can be reasonably

served by public infrastructure.


• We will coordinate provision of public facilities and services with land use

planning to promote more compact urban development.


• Our community will use planned infrastructure expansion to support development

in areas identified (in the comprehensive plan) as suitable for such development.


• We will invest in parks and open space to enhance the quality of life for our

citizens.


101


• We will support programs for retention, expansion and creation of businesses

that are a good fit for our community’s economy in terms of job skill requirements and linkages to existing businesses.

• We will target reinvestment to declining, existing neighborhoods, vacant or

underutilized sites or buildings in preference to new economic development projects in Greenfield (previously undeveloped) areas of our community.

• We will seek to balance the supply of housing and employment in our community

and consider their location in relation to each other.


• We will take into account impacts on infrastructure and natural resources in our

decision making on economic development projects.


• We will carefully consider costs as well as benefits in making decisions on

proposed economic development projects.

• We will work toward eliminating substandard or dilapidated housing in our community.


• We will create affordable housing opportunities to ensure that all those who work

in the community have a viable option to live in the community.


• We will accommodate our diverse population by encouraging a compatible

mixture of housing types, densities and costs in each neighborhood.



• We will seek opportunities to share services and facilities with neighboring

jurisdictions when mutually beneficial.


102

• We will consult other public entities in our area when making decisions that are

likely to impact them.


• We will engage in cooperative planning between the local government and local

school board in regard to the appropriate location and use of schools as community facilities.

103

Chapter 5

City of Lookout Mountain


Implementation Program for the City of Lookout Mountain









The City of Lookout Mountain Georgia’s vision is to maintain the residential community status that we now enjoy with appropriate economic and residential development to maintain and enhance our services and tax base through controlled growth without disrupting the peaceful and beautiful residential nature of our community.


Development Map that reflects the city’s vision for growth and development for the




Future Development Map for the City of Lookout Mountain.

104





that:






information:

• Description

• Land use(s)












105

106

Traditional Neighborhood

A portion of the original Fairyland Estates subdivision


• Traditional neighborhood • Infill development • Sense of place • Transportation alternatives • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Regional cooperation





Public Investments:


• Improve existing water and sewer, provide high speed internet, transit

Description

A neighborhood having relatively well-maintained housing, possess a distinct identity through architectural style, lot and street design, and has higher rates of home-ownership. East of Lula Lake Road, the area consists of the Fairyland Estates subdivision, designed in 1924 around numerous natural features and built from the mid-1920s through the 1950s.





• Pursue strong pedestrian and bicycle connections for residents

Land Uses

Residential

107

Rural Residential

Bagby and Turnberry Lanes, west of Lula Lake Road


• Traditional neighborhood • Infill development • Sense of place • Transportation alternatives • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Growth preparedness • Regional cooperation


• Preserve rural features and limit residential development.


• Require preservation of open space, trees, limit commercial and residential development.

Incentives:

• Allow design variances for conservation subdivisions and individual homes.

Public Investments:

• Public parks and greenspace/ trails to connect residential and small stores


• Improve water and sewer, extend where practicable

Description

Rural, undeveloped land likely to face development pressures for lower density (one unit per two+ acres) residential development. Typically will have low pedestrian orientation and access, very large lots, open space, pastoral views, high degree of building separation.


Maintain rural atmosphere with new residential development by: • Permitting rural cluster or conservation subdivision design that

incorporate significant amounts of open space. • Encourage compatible architecture styles that maintain regional

rural character, without “franchise” or “corporate” architecture. • Wherever possible, connect to regional network of greenspace

and trails, available to pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians.


Land Uses

Residential

108

Town Center

City of Lookout Mountain, GA – Town Center area


• Transportation alternatives • Regional identity • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Appropriate businesses • Infill development • Sense of place

More detailed sub-area planning: • Create vision for mixed use areas New or revised local development regulations: • Design guidelines, infill use restrictions Public Investments: • Ask that public spaces/ plazas be

included in new developments Infrastructure Improvements: • Create wifi hotspots, improve water and

sewer, public transit

Description

A concentrated focal point with general retail, service commercial, professional office, public and open space


• Relatively high-density mix of retail, office, services, employment

• Design for pedestrians with connections between uses

• Define road edges by locating buildings at roadside, rear parking

• Include direct connections to the greenspace and trail networks.

• Add sidewalks, pedestrian-friendly trail/bike routes to link to neigh-boring communities, libraries, schools, parks, health centers, etc.

Land Uses

Commercial Public/Institutional Park/Recreation/Conservation

109

Regional Activity Center

Fairyland Golf Course


• Sense of place • Transportation alternatives • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Growth preparedness

• New or revised local development regulations

• Maintenance and infrastructure improvements

Description

Concentration of sports and recreational complexes. These areas are characterized by high degree of access by vehicular traffic, and high transit use, including stops, shelters and transfer points; on-site parking; low degree of internal open space; large tracts of land, campus or unified development.


• Provide bike lanes or wide curb lanes to encourage bicycling and provide additional safety, provide conveniently located, preferably sheltered, bicycle parking at retail and office destinations and in multi-family dwellings.

• Encourage compatible architecture styles that maintain the regional character, and should not include “franchise” or “corporate” architecture.

• Design should be very pedestrian oriented, with strong, walkable connections between different uses.

• Include direct connections to nearby networks of greenspace or trails, available to pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians for both tourism and recreation purposes.

Land Uses

Park/Recreation/Conservation Commercial

110



City of Lookout Mountain that was identified in the Community Assessment portion of

the Comprehensive Plan. This updated version reflects public comments gained from

the community participation activities as well as other input gathered during the review

of the Community Assessment. It is the final, locally agreed upon, list of issues and



• Population


• Housing




• Transportation

Population

� The population over 65 years of age is increasing and will require specialized

housing and services in the future.


� A town center needs definition and development, combining commercial

service/retail, civic, cultural, and recreational activities.

Housing

� Maintaining our community’s residential character is a high priority.


� Preserving and linking natural resources and views on the mountain needs both

planning and public support.

111


� Facilities housing the city hall, police, and fire services are inadequate and need

replacement.

� Programs that will enhance neighborhood safety need to be expanded.


� Certain governmental efficiencies may be possible through mutual agreements

with Lookout Mountain, Tennessee.


Transportation

� Sidewalks are needed on the city’s main thoroughfare along Lula Lake Road.

� Street construction and maintenance in the community requires special

consideration of winter safety issues.




identifies specific measures to be undertaken by the City of Lookout Mountain to

implement the comprehensive plan. The Implementation Program includes the

following sections:



• Policies

112






113

REPORT OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS CITY OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN 2007-2011 STWP


Postponed Not



Population Change

Encourage housing for senior citizens and elderly. X


Identify types of small businesses (restaurants, coffee shops, tailor, spa) that would fit with Lookout Mountain’s vision and contribute to the city’s tax base.

X

Identify incentives for these types of businesses to locate in Lookout Mountain (upscale clientele, beautiful environment, etc.)

X

Maintain strong downtown commercial district without intrusion into existing residential and recreational areas

X

Support local tourism efforts. X

Natural Resources

Update map of natural resources on file with Coosa Valley Regional Development Center.

X Dropped as an activity of the mayor and city council

Continue development of the pedestrian pathway in the city limits.

X

Encourage good land management practices in areas with steep slopes, unsuitable soils & environmental areas

X


Maintain and update recreational facilities X

Create inventory of city properties and facilities to be rehabilitated/ repaired/ renovated.

X

Create list of available properties for location of assisted living facility.

X An assisted living facility is being built nearby; activity no longer needed

114



Postponed Not



Continue service upgrades to police and fire equipment as needed.

X

Cultural Resources

Preserve stable residential neighborhoods throughout the City and protect historic homes.


Housing

Create inventory of vacant properties and those owned by the city and suitable for development.


Promote new residential development to meet future housing needs.

X Not needed until real estate market recovers

Transportation

Monitor parking needs of retail centers and municipal buildings.

X

Support projects in the GA Portion Trans. Program (Chattanooga area MPO)

X

Land Use

Review existing regulations every two years X

Update and amend zoning ordinance as needed X

Review and update land use maps every 5 years X

Continue to use Comp. Plan and land use maps when making re-zoning decisions

X


Update service delivery strategies. X

115



Postponed Not




Encourage citizen participation at city council meetings and business participation in Walker County Chamber of Commerce.

X

116













117

CITY OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN 2012-2016 SHORT TERM WORK PROGRAM




2012 2013 2014 2015 2016


Identify types of small businesses (restaurants, coffee shops,

tailor, spa) that fit with Lookout Mountain’s vision and contribute

to the city’s tax base.

X X X X X City of Lookout Mountain $1,000 City

Identify incentives for these types of businesses to locate in

Lookout Mountain. X X X X X City of Lookout Mountain $1,000 City

Redevelop vacant town center properties. X X X X X City of Lookout Mountain; private property owners

$1.5M+ City; state; private

Participate in countywide and regional tourism efforts. X X X X X City of Lookout Mountain Staff time City

Housing

Promote residential image of Lookout Mountain via city’s website

X City of Lookout Mountain, Georgia; City of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee

$50,000 Hotel/motel tax


Adopt ordinances that address steep slopes and other sensitive

environmental areas X X City of Lookout Mountain $5,000 General fund


Provide sewer support to Brow Wood development X X City of Lookout Mountain $300,000 Private

Build new public works facility X City of Lookout Mountain $225,000 SPLOST

Build joint city hall/ fire/ police facility X X City of Lookout Mountain $1M General fund; grants

Replace police cars (2) X X City of Lookout Mountain $65,000 SPLOST

Purchase new garbage truck X City of Lookout Mountain $100,000 SPLOST

Expand new neighborhood watch program X X X X X City of Lookout Mountain $5,000 General fund

118

CITY OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN 2012-2016 SHORT TERM WORK PROGRAM




2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Maintain and update recreational facilities X X X X X City of Lookout Mountain $25,000 City; DNR

Inventory city properties and facilities to be rehabilitated/

repaired/ renovated. X X X X X City of Lookout Mountain $1,000 City

Continue service upgrades to police and fire equipment as needed.

X X X X X City of Lookout Mountain $1,500/ yr. City; FEMA; GDOT

Review and amend land use regulations as needed (zoning, subdivision regulations, steep slopes, signage, stream buffers)

X X X X X City of Lookout Mountain; Planning Commission

$5,000 City


Develop a joint website with the City of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee

X X City of Lookout Mountain, Georgia; City of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee

$20,000 SPLOST; general fund

Continue service under Mutual Aid Agreement with City of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee

X X X X X City of Lookout Mountain, Georgia; City of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee

$3,000/yr. General fund

Update the Service Delivery Strategy. X City of Lookout Mountain; Walker County; NWGRC

Staff time City


Continue development of the pedestrian pathway in the city limits (including sidewalk on Lula Lake Road).

X X X X X City of Lookout Mountain $100,000 SPLOST

Support projects in the Georgia/ Walker County portion of the CHCNGA-TPO boundary.

X X X X X City of Lookout Mountain; GDOT Staff time City

Maintain adequate supply of road salt X X X X X City of Lookout Mountain $5,000-

$10,000/yr. General fund

119

Policies




and Opportunities. The following policies have been adopted by the City of Lookout

Mountain:







• We will encourage the development of our town center as a vibrant center of the community in order to improve overall attractiveness and local quality of life.

• Creation of recreational facilities and set-aside of greenspace are important to

our community.

• We are committed to redeveloping and enhancing existing commercial areas within our community in preference to new development in Greenfield (previously undeveloped) areas of the community.




• We will make decisions that encourage walking, biking, car-pooling, and other

alternative transportation choices.




• Our new and reconstructed roadways will be designed to accommodate multiple

functions, including pedestrian facilities, parking, and bicycle routes, as well as local vehicular circulation.

120



• We will ensure (through traffic calming and other design considerations) that

excessive vehicular traffic will not harm the peaceful nature of our residential neighborhoods.






• Infrastructure networks will be developed to steer new development away from

sensitive natural resource areas.


• We will promote low impact development that preserves the natural topography

and existing vegetation of development sites.




• Our community will make efficient use of existing infrastructure and public

facilities in order to minimize the need for costly new/expanded facilities and services.

• We will ensure that new development does not cause a decline in existing levels

of service for the community’s residents and employers.


• We will ensure that capital improvements needed to accommodate future

development are provided concurrent with new development.

121


• The community will seek ways for new growth to pay for itself (in terms of public

investment in infrastructure and services to support the development) to the maximum extent possible.


citizens.









• We will pursue joint processes for collaborative planning and decision-making

with neighboring jurisdictions


• We will provide input to other public entities in our area when they are making

decision that are likely to have an impact on our community or our plans for future development.



122

Chapter 6

City of Rossville


Implementation Program for the City of Rossville









“Together we create a community of good neighbors.”

This vision looks to all sectors of the Rossville community – individuals and families, business, schools, service organizations, non-profit agencies, and city workers – to be responsible for the well being of the entire community.

It envisions all elements of the community working cooperatively to maintain the character and quality of community life. In this vision, all individuals and families look out for each other, are careful with the natural environment, use their volunteer time to help build community, and shop at local businesses whenever they can.

Businesses show concern for the environment, and contribute to public projects and activities in caring and serving that all communities need. City government sees its role as supporting and stimulating these cooperative efforts. Government cannot create elements of “good neighborliness” alone, but rather can put the vision forward while demonstrating ways all parts of the community can create and maintain it together.

123

The City of Rossville will strive to attain and maintain the following principles that

sustain a Healthy Community:

• Enhance image and raise aspirations.

• Rejuvenate the city’s economy.

• Create a confident, dynamic, and sustainable city.

• Enhance citizen engagement in city issues.

• Enhance community functions and events.

• Sustain the natural systems and beauty of the community.

• Keep and promote a built environment which is on a human scale, compatible with the natural environment, and which sustains quality over time.

• Sustain a safe community with a coherent, comprehensive, and cohesive approach.

• Maintain economic vitality and sustain a variety of housing choices, appropriate to all stages of life.

• Capitalize on Rossville’s heritage as once the largest industrial site in the world.

• Regain integrity, through historic sites and streetscapes, as a positive and friendly entrance into the State of Georgia.


Development Map that reflects the city’s vision for growth and development for the




Future Development Map for the City of Rossville.




124


that:






information:

• Description

• Land use(s)












125

126

Traditional Residential

Flegal Avenue, Carden Avenue, and Glenn Wade Drive


• Reinforce stability by encouraging homeownership/maintenance/upgrade of existing properties.

• Vacant properties an opportunity for infill development of new, architecturally compatible housing.





• Preservation, rehabilitation, infill guideline and emphasis

Public investments:

• Sidewalks, beautification projects Infrastructure improvements:

• Improve existing water and sewer, provide high speed Internet

• Bike paths, walking and running areas • Assist in enforcing covenants

Quality Community Objectives

• Traditional neighborhood • Infill development • Sense of place • Transportation alternatives • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Growth preparedness • Appropriate businesses • Employment options • Housing opportunities • Educational opportunities

Description

This character area comprises the bulk of grid-patterned, curbed and guttered streets in a network that is readily navigated on foot. Neighborhoods consist of several distinct types of subdivisions:

• Post WWII housing; small homes and lots; public water and sewer network available; low pedestrian orientation; little or no open space; housing consists of mixed single, multiple and apartments.

• Subdivision consisting of old mill houses, small and relatively well-maintained.

• Older homes on large lots built in the early twentieth century or before in mixed commercial and residential area.

• New subdivisions including sidewalks, new water and sewer, but little or no open or green space.

Land Uses

Residential

127

Missionary Ridge Residential

South Mission Ridge Drive


• Infill development • Sense of place • Regional identity • Growth preparedness





Public investments

• Sidewalks, beatification projects Infrastructure improvements:

• Improve existing water and sewer, provide high speed Internet, transit

• Bike paths, walking and running areas • Assist in enforcing covenants

Description

This character area consists of mostly newer houses built on Missionary Ridge, overlooking the traditional neighborhood area in the valley. It is relatively well-maintained housing, with a distinct identity through architectural style, large lots, street design, and view of the valley and mountains. It is characterized by a higher rate of home ownership but is less walkable than the traditional residential character area.


• Reinforce stability by encouraging homeownership, maintenance, and upgrade of existing properties.

• Vacant lots are an opportunity for infill development of new, architectural compatible housing

Land Uses

Residential

128

Downtown

Chickamauga Avenue (U.S. 27), looking south


• Infill development • Regional identity • Transportation alternatives • Appropriate business • Employment options


• Create vision for mixed-use areas New or revised local development regulations:

• Design guidelines for downtown mixed-use infill

Public investments:

• Ask that public spaces/plazas be included in new developments

Infrastructure improvements:

• Create wifi hotspots; improve water and sewer, public transit

Description

A concentrated focal point with general retail services, commercial, professional office, higher-density housing, public and open space.

Development Strategies/ Policies:

• Relatively high-density mix of retail, office services, employment

• Higher density mixed income-housing options next to center

• Design for pedestrians with connections between uses

• Define road edges by locating buildings at roadside, rear parking

• Include direct connections to the green space and trail networks

• Add sidewalks, pedestrian friendly trail/bike routes to link to neighboring communities, libraries, schools, parks, health centers, etc.

Land Uses

Commercial Residential (upscale loft apartments)

129

Redevelopment Area

Old mill complex in redevelopment area

• New development should be compatible in scale and architectural design to the area’s historic fabric; “franchise” or “corporate” architecture should not be allowed.

• Protect historic properties from demolition and encourage rehabilitation and adaptive reuse.

• Street layouts should match those in older parts of the community and connect to existing street network at numerous points.

• Pedestrian access and open space should be provided to encourage walking between destinations and enhance citizen use and enjoyment of the area.

• Incorporate signage and lighting guidelines to enhance the quality of development.

Land Uses

Residential Commercial Industrial (light) Park/Recreation/Conservation Mixed Use


Description • Conduct a historic resources survey of

the area to identify significant historic resources that should be targeted for rehabilitation and adaptive reuse.

• Prepare a master plan for the area to encourage redevelopment.

• Utilize rehabilitation/building codes with standards more appropriate to the rehabilitation of older buildings.

• Develop a comprehensive infill development program/strategy to encourage infill development in the area, including incentives, improvements to public facilities and services, streamlined regulations, and design guidelines for appropriate design, density, and location of projects.

Redevelopment area that converts industrial and public/institutional sites to mixed-use developments that will serve as a community focal point. Currently, declining, unattractive, vacant, or under-utilized properties characterized by a high degree of access by vehicular traffic and on-site parking; large parcels of land, campus or unified development; some properties contain historic resources that are significant to Rossville’s history as an early twentieth century textile manufacturing community.

Development Strategy/Policies:

• Encourage relatively high-density mix of retail, office, services, and employment and a diverse mix of housing types, such as town homes, apartments, lofts, and condominiums, including affordable and workforce housing.

• Infill development on vacant or under-utilized sites matching character and typical densities of older center of community.

Quality Community Objectives

• Growth preparedness • Appropriate businesses • Employment options • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Transportation alternatives • Housing opportunities • Infill development • Sense of place

130

Industrial

Industrial Site off Maple Street


• Infill development • Transportation alternatives • Regional identity • Growth preparedness • Appropriate businesses • Employment options • Educational opportunities




• Require percentage of open space on site Incentives:

• Tax breaks for incubators and small business for reuse and site cleanup, provided property belongs to city.

Public Investments:

• Install high speed Internet • Provide alternative access roads Infrastructure improvements:


Description

Land used in higher intensity manufacturing, assembly, processing activities where noise, particulate matter, vibration, smoke, dust, gas, fumes, odors, radiation, or other nuisance characteristics are not contained on site.


• Encourage greater mix of use (such as retail and services to serve industry employees) to reduce automobile reliance use on site.

• Industrial opportunities in outlying areas with some mixed retail.

Land Uses

Industrial Commercial

131

Gateway Corridor

Chickamauga Avenue


• Infill development • Transportation alternatives • Regional identity • Heritage preservation • Open space preservation • Environmental protection • Growth preparedness • Appropriate businesses • Employment options • Regional cooperation


• Overlay zoning district New or revised local development regulations:

• Sidewalk width, proper setbacks, store front restrictions, sign ordinance

Incentives:

• Developer variances for preserving trees Public investments:

• Beautification projects Infrastructure Improvements:

• Maintain sidewalks, street lamps

Description

Developed or underdeveloped land paralleling the route of a major thoroughfare that serves as an important entrance or means of access to the community.

Development Strategies/ Policies:




Land Uses

Commercial

132



City of Rossville that was identified in the Community Assessment portion of the






• Population


• Housing




• Transportation

Population

� The proportion of the population that is over 65 years of age will increase and

this population group will require specialized housing and services.

� Educational attainment for the community is lagging behind that of the rest of the

county, region, and the state.


� The Downtown Development Authority needs to initiate programs to actively

recruit commercial and residential development.

� The city is designated as an Enterprise Zone and should seek the Opportunity

Zone designation.

� The Peerless Mill site is in need of redevelopment.

� Our town center is unattractive and needs improvements to enhance business

viability.

133

� Marketing the community for economic development needs additional human

resources and funding support.

� Downtown needs rehabilitation and infill initiatives, and vacant buildings, city-

wide, need consideration for adaptive reuse.

� Mixed use developments in downtown incorporating residential, office, and

retail/service establishments, as well as loft dwellings, are needed.

Housing

� Our older neighborhoods need improvement through infill, rehabilitation, or

redevelopment, one house at a time, and continued code enforcement.

� Our community needs to encourage well-designed infill housing and upscale loft

apartments.

� With an aging population, an additional, dedicated senior housing development is

needed in Rossville.


� Current FEMA flood hazard boundary maps hinder development and may not be

accurate for portions of Rossville.

� Erosion, sedimentation, and storm water runoff continue to be problems.

� Preservation of the John Ross House and efforts to keep the Rossville Post

Office in the downtown historic building remain priorities.


� Existing infrastructure investments need protection by encouraging infill,

redevelopment, and compact development.

� Old water and sewer infrastructure needs to be replaced as an ongoing

maintenance activity.

134

� The city charter needs to be updated.



Transportation

� McFarland Avenue is congested and inadequate to handle increased traffic flow.

� A streetscape plan for McFarland Avenue, including sidewalks, landscaping, and

pedestrian amenities needs to be developed and implemented.

� The Frank M. Gleason Parkway corridor needs to be extended to Chickamauga

Avenue in the near future.

� Sidewalks in the community’s residential areas need to be refurbished or

replaced.

� Traffic signalization equipment throughout the city are either inadequate or

outdated.

� City-wide, citizens could benefit from planned connectivity of community streets,

pedestrian trails and sidewalks, and bike paths.




identifies specific measures to be undertaken by the City of Rossville to implement

the comprehensive plan. The Implementation Program includes the following

sections:



• Policies

135



identified in the city's 2007-2011 Short Term Work Program. For each activity, the ROA



136

REPORT OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS CITY OF ROSSVILLE 2007-2011 STWP


Postponed Not




Pursue GDOT and Chattanooga MPO for funding to widen McFarland Ave.

X Project included in the CHCNGA 2035 LRTP

Expand and promote Recreational Facilities Activities, and Projects - new ball fields, concession stand and pool renovation .

X

As of 2007, there will be no schools located in the city limits. Moving to county

X

Create written materials for the Hispanic population as needed, such as stormwater brochures

X

Continue partnerships with area schools X

City facilities available to local schools X

City has met and will continue to meet with Chattanooga to give progress report of streetscape and their commitment to the Tennessee side of Rossville

X

Streetscape project – Phase I X

Streetscape project – Phase II X TE funding was not awarded

Encourage infill, redevelopment, and compact development (not less than 7000 square feet) to take advantage of existing infrastructure investments

X

Document water and sewer trouble spots where repair is needed to meet standards

X


City continues to work with JDA and with Kathy Johnson at SEIDA in Chattanooga to promote economic development

X

Pursue parking study for Downtown Area. X Lack of funding

137



Postponed Not



Promote the John Ross House/Festival & Coordinate

local activities with the Chattanooga Tourism Bureau. X

Study underway for best possible use of the Mill

downtown X

New traffic study X Lack of funding

Continue to partner with Downtown Development

Authority for development X

Housing

Support housing rehab programs and upgrade existing rental units.

X

Review building codes and ordinances for feasibility of rehabilitation and infill downtown.

X

Investigate review of building codes and ordinances to allow a mix of residential, office, and commercial development in downtown, Current R2 zoning allows side-by-side mix of residential, commercial use. Upscale loft apartments would especially be encouraged.

X

Ordinances updated on ongoing basis X

Support Better Housing Committee X

Develop list of lots available locally for housing X

Possible incentives to builders to encourage specialized housing for elderly

X

Make variances friendly to builders, such as ordinance restrictions

X

Promote use of empty buildings as they become available

X

138



Postponed Not



Land Use

Monitor and Review existing City Regulations every two years

X

Use Comp. Plan as a guide for making rezoning and land use decisions

X

Develop new Zoning Ordinance X Lack of consensus


Identify and protect environmentally sensitive areas. X

Continue to explore elevating the roadway in area where flooding is a problem

X

Maintain local Clean & Beautiful Committee. X Committee is inactive

Pursue streetscaping on Hwy 27 with TEA funds/granted in FY99.

X

Conduct a comprehensive survey of historic resources. X Lack of funding

Apply for and participate in the GA Better Hometown Program.

X

City is continuously addressing erosion, sedimentation and stormwater runoff problems

X

Update documentation of erosion, sedimentation, and stormwater runoff problems

X

City will continue to pursue historic preservation of sites and their addition to the National Historic Register

X

139













140

CITY OF ROSSVILLE 2012-2016 SHORT TERM WORK PROGRAM




2012 2013 2014 2015 2016


Encourage and assist with the redevelopment of the Peerless Mill complex.

X X X X X City of Rossville; Rossville DDA $1,000 City

Develop and implement a façade improvement program for downtown.

X X X X X Rossville DDA $1,000 City

Seek an Opportunity Zone designation X X X X X Rossville DDA $1,000 City

Recruit commercial development X X X X X City of Rossville; Rossville DDA; Walker Co. Development Authority; NWGAJDA

$1,000 City

Seek additional funding for economic development efforts X X X X X City of Rossville; Rossville DDA $3,000 City

Revise zoning ordinance to allow appropriate residential development in commercial area.

X X X X X City of Rossville $5,000 City

Continue to work with the NWGAJDA and with SEIDA in Chattanooga to promote economic development

X X X X X City of Rossville; NWGAJDA; SEIDA Staff time City

Promote the John Ross House/Festival & coordinate local activities with the Chattanooga Tourism Bureau.

X X X X X City of Rossville; John Ross Ho. Assoc.; Chattanooga Tourism Bureau

$1,500 City; Chamber of Commerce

Continue to partner with Downtown Development Authority for development

X X X X X City of Rossville; Rossville DDA Staff time City

Housing

Enforce Ordinance 440 X X X X X City of Rossville Staff time City

Apply for CDBG housing rehabilitation grant X X X X X City of Rossville $500,000 City; DCA

Promote rehabilitation of old middle school for senior housing X X X X X City of Rossville Staff time City; private

Support housing rehabilitation programs and upgrade of existing rental units.

X X X X X City of Rossville Staff time City

Review building codes and ordinances for feasibility of rehabilitation and infill downtown.


Make variances friendly to builders, such as ordinance restrictions.


141





2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Promote use of empty buildings as they become available. X X X X X City of Rossville; Rossville DDA Staff time City


Request FEMA to reevaluate flood hazard map X X X X X City of Rossville; FEMA Staff time FEMA

Enforce erosion, sedimentation, and stormwater ordinances X X X X X City of Rossville Staff time City

Resolve ownership of the John Ross House X X X X X City of Rossville; John Ross House Association

$5,000 City

Identify and protect environmentally sensitive areas. X X X X X City of Rossville $2,000 City; DNR

Apply for and participate in the GA Better Hometown Program. X X City of Rossville; private Staff time City

Update documentation of erosion, sedimentation, and stormwater runoff problems


City will continue to pursue historic preservation of sites and their addition to the National Historic Register

X X X X X City of Rossville; John Ross House Assoc. TBD City; John Ross House Assoc.


Apply for CDBG for sewer improvements X X X X X City of Rossville $5M CDBG; SPLOST; EPD

Expand and encourage infill and redevelopment within the DDA boundary.

X X X X X City of Rossville; Rossville DDA $1-2M City; DCA

Update the city charter X City of Rossville $10,000 City

Continue partnerships with area schools. X X X X X City of Rossville Staff time City

Continue to make city facilities available to local schools. X X X X X City of Rossville TBD City

Continue to meet with Chattanooga to give progress report of streetscape and commitment to the Tennessee side of Rossville.

X X X X X City of Rossville; City of Chattanooga Staff time City

Document sewer trouble spots where repair is needed to meet standards.

X X X X X City of Rossville $50,000/yr. City; sewer fund

142





2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Encourage infill, redevelopment, and compact development (not less than 7000 square feet) to take advantage of existing infrastructure investments.

X X X X X City of Rossville; Rossville DDA Staff time City


Update the Service Delivery Strategy X City of Rossville; Walker County Staff time City


Pursue GDOT and Chattanooga MPO for funding to extend F. M. Gleason Parkway to Chickamauga Avenue.

X X X X X City of Rossville; Walker County $1,000 City; county

Evaluate and improve traffic signalization citywide. X X X X X City of Rossville; GDOT $1M+ City; GDOT

Reevaluate Streetscape Project - Phase II. X X City of Rossville $10,000 City; GDOT

Develop and begin implementation of a sidewalk plan for the residential areas.

X X X City of Rossville $300,000 City; state

143

Policies




and Opportunities. The following policies have been adopted by the City of Rossville:








• We are committed to providing pleasant, accessible public gathering places and

parks throughout the community.





• We will target transportation improvements to support desired development

patterns for the community (recognizing that ready availability of transportation creates demand for land development in adjacent areas).



• We will promote connectivity of our road network (such as fostering a grid

network of streets, multiple connections between subdivisions).


144




• We will minimize inefficient land consumption and encourage more compact

urban development in order to preserve green open space and natural resource areas.



• We will promote the protection and maintenance of trees and green open space

in all new development.



• We will ensure that new development does not cause a decline in existing levels

of service for the community’s residents and employers.



citizens.





• We will target reinvestment to declining, existing neighborhoods, vacant or

underutilized sites or buildings in preference to new economic development projects in Greenfield (previously undeveloped) areas of our community.

• We will seek to balance the supply of housing and employment in our community

and consider their location in relation to each other.


145




• We will encourage development of housing opportunities that enable residents to

live close to their places of employment.

• We will encourage housing policies, choices and patterns that move people upward on the housing ladder from dependence to independence (home ownership).

• We support dispersion of assisted housing throughout the community in order to

diversify neighborhoods and eliminate pockets of poverty.





• We will provide input to other public entities in our area when they are making

decision that are likely to have an impact on our community or our plans for future development.



146

Appendix A

Summary of Community Participation

Public Participation

An integral part of any planning process is public participation. The success of a

planning effort is directly related to the unification of support behind the ideas presented

in the plan document, a policy guide to future activities that governments and other

community entities should pursue. As a result, the elected officials, who may have their

own ideas about the direction of the government, are encouraged to seek the advice

and counsel of their constituents through public processes that contribute to the creation

of the final plan document.

The rules for planning encourage the public to help contemplate a vision for the future,

to identify those problems that are relevant in the community (issues and opportunities),

then to consider those implementation measures (policies and short-term work

program) that can address the identified problems.

The challenge is to successfully engage the public in such a process. All efforts to

announce the planning process and to create meetings for public participation are by

their very nature – public meetings. Future implementation by any government or

governmental entity occurs more smoothly when the public remains engaged in those

efforts documented by the planning effort.

Steering Committee

A steering committee was initially created for the Walker County & cities’

comprehensive plan made up of three officials from Walker County and two from each

of the four municipalities in Walker County. This steering committee was tasked with

147

guiding the general direction of the plan preparation and acting as liaisons to each

government that they represented. The steering committee remained aware of the

various tasks ahead and the deadlines related to those tasks. The Committee also

underwrote the various public meetings that were scheduled to seek public input and

were aware of those news releases or advertisements that were to appear in the local

press or be presented to local radio and television representatives. The steering

committee provided general guidance and advice to the planning staff, based on their

own knowledge of local governments and their supporting constituents.

Community Preference Survey

The steering committee also approved development of a local community preference

survey that was designed to engage the public, allowing citizens to express their views

about their local community, the speed of growth, changes that might be desirable,

attitudes about business and downtown areas, the adequacy of housing, support for

various regulations, and both current and future service levels. The survey also allowed

citizens to write-in additional comments and elaborate on those items that they deemed

worthy of more conversation and attention.

Visioning Process

Kick-Off Meeting

Multiple layers of public participation and planning actually began in September 2010

when an initial meeting was held with elected officials in a “kick-off meeting” to explain

the planning requirements and the importance of participating in a 10-year update to the

Comprehensive Plan. Initial work was described as a function of the planning staff.

By March 10, 2011 after the planning staff began those required portions of the

Community Assessment, a meeting was held with local officials to explain recent

changes to the rules for Comprehensive Planning, resulting from poor economic times

and a desire to streamline some processes. The represented local governments

declared that continuing their planning effort was preferable to delaying activities to a

later date as the rules would have allowed.

Another meeting with the Steering Committee on March 31, 2011 provided a

comparison of local communities with the state’s Quality Community Objectives and an

initial review of draft issues and opportunities, plus an update on the next steps in the

148

planning process. By April 28, a Steering Committee meeting updated earlier

materials and the public participation plan was underwritten, including the community

preference survey. Agreement was reached regarding the date for the first required

public hearing, jointly held by all governments on May 25, 2011 at the Walker County

Civic Center as part of the planning process. Officially, this became the public’s first

opportunity to comment on the draft community assessment, the analysis of supporting

data and information, and the public participation plan.

Visioning Workshops

Two-days, August 9 and August 11,

opened the doors for 3-hours per day at

the Walker County Civic Center for the

public to interact with the planning staff

and local elected officials. The public,

after reviewing a draft listing, contributed

to the identification of their most

important issues and opportunities,

helped mold a general vision for their

county or their individual municipality,

and compared land use maps with the

idea of creating a future development

map that could identify the type,

intensity, and location of future

development. Participants were also

asked to complete the community

preference survey.

Later, at an August 17 meeting with the

Steering Committee, summary results

were provided for those surveys that

had been turned it, plus summary

comments from the visioning workshop

were shared. The next parts of the

planning schedule were affirmed as

well.

Refining Community Issues and Opportunities at a

Visioning Workshop

Studying land use and character area maps at a Visioning

Workshop

149

Work Sessions with the Governments and Citizens

A news release on August 24 to the

newspaper, radio station, and local

television set-up the first (August 25, 29,

and 30) of two work sessions with each

of the five local governments and any

local citizen who wanted to participate.

The agenda included finalization of the

issue and opportunities, double-checks

of the mapped character areas and their

descriptions, providing summaries of the

survey results, initiated the creation of

guiding policies, and the development of

individual vision statements per

government.

The second work sessions (October 11,

12, and 13) with local governments

worked to create a report of

accomplishments on the work program

of the last five-years, then turned

everyone’s thoughts to the creation of

the next five-year Short Term Work

Program.

A work session with the City of Rossville

A work session with the City of Chickamauga

Public Relations

The events within the planning process were explained with timely news releases to the

Walker County Messenger, the local newspaper, as well as appropriate and timely new

releases to the local radio station (WQCH-1590 AM) and local television. Walker

County Sole Commissioner Bebe Heiskell routinely uses her weekly television program

to discuss current issues or topics of local interest. The development of the

comprehensive plan received regular attention on her program, including one program

that shared the results from the community preference surveys. She also continued to

emphasize the importance of public input and implored the citizenry to attend the

scheduled public meetings and participate.

150

The website of the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission (NWGRC) posted draft

items that were ready for public review. The website in Walker County also published

the community preference survey for public use, then made references to all scheduled

public meeting related to the plan and the availability of the draft documents on the

NWGRC website. The municipalities only had variable success with these notices and

documents.

151

Appendix B

Quality Community Objectives The Department of Community Affairs has established statewide goals and a number of Quality Community Objectives that further elaborate the state goals, based on growth and development issues identified in local and regional plans, throughout the state. These goals and objectives are intended to provide guidance, or targets for local governments to achieve, in developing and implementing their comprehensive plan.

Regional Identity Objective: Regions should promote and preserve an “identity,”

defined in terms of traditional regional architecture, common economic linkages that

bind the region together, or other shared characteristics.

Growth Preparedness Objective: Each community should identify and put in place the

prerequisites for the type of growth it seeks to achieve. These may include housing and

infrastructure (roads, water, sewer and telecommunications) to support new growth,

appropriate training of the workforce, ordinances to direct growth as desired, or

leadership capable of responding to growth opportunities.

Appropriate Businesses Objective: The businesses and industries encouraged to

develop or expand in a community should be suitable for the community in terms of job

skills required, linkages to other economic activities in the region, impact on the

resources of the area, and future prospects for expansion and creation of higher-skill job

opportunities.

Educational Opportunities Objective: Educational and training opportunities should

be readily available in each community – to permit community residents to improve their

job skills, adapt to technological advances, or to pursue entrepreneurial ambitions.

Employment Options Objective: A range of job types should be provided in each

community to meet the diverse needs of the local workforce.

152

Heritage Preservation Objective: The traditional character of the community should be

maintained through preserving and revitalizing historic areas of the community,

encouraging new development that is compatible with the traditional features of the

community, and protecting other scenic or natural features that are important to defining

the community’s character.

Open Space Preservation Objective: New development should be designed to

minimize the amount of land consumed, and open space should be set aside from

development for use as public parks or as greenbelts/wildlife corridors.

Environmental Protection Objective: Air quality and environmentally sensitive areas

should be protected from negative impacts of development. Environmentally sensitive

areas deserve special protection, particularly when they are important for maintaining

traditional character or quality of life of the community or region. Whenever possible,

the natural terrain, drainage, and vegetation of an area should be preserved.

Regional Cooperation Objective: Regional cooperation should be encouraged in

setting priorities, identifying shared needs, and finding collaborative solutions,

particularly where it is critical to success of a venture, such as protection of shared

natural resources.

Transportation Alternatives Objective: Alternatives to transportation by automobile,

including mass transit, bicycle routes and pedestrian facilities, should be made available

in each community. Greater use of alternate transportation should be encouraged.

Regional Solutions Objective: Regional solutions to needs shared by more than one

local jurisdiction are preferable to separate local approaches, particularly where this will

result in greater efficiency and less cost to the taxpayer.

Housing Opportunities Objective: Quality housing and a range of housing size, cost,

and density should be provided in each community, to make it possible for all who work

in the community to also live in the community.

Traditional Neighborhood Objective: Traditional neighborhood development patterns

should be encouraged, including use of more human scale development, mixing of uses

within easy walking distance of one another, and facilitating pedestrian activity.

Infill Development Objective: Communities should maximize the use of existing

infrastructure and minimize the conversion of undeveloped land at the urban periphery

153

by encouraging development or redevelopment of sites closer to the downtown or

traditional urban core of the community.

Sense of Place Objective: Traditional downtown areas should be maintained as the

focal point of the community or, for newer areas where this is not possible, the

development of activity centers that serve as community focal points should be

encouraged. These community focal points should be attractive, mixed-use,

pedestrian-friendly places where people choose to gather for shopping, dining,

socializing, and entertainment.

Documents

WALKER COUNTY Joint Comprehensive Plan 2012-2032 Part ......Post WWII housing. Area where typical types of suburban residential subdivision development have occurred. Are within proximity